Play-offs?!?  Who needs the play-offs?!?  Certainly not Division 1 football or the Kansas City Chiefs (or Joe Flacco, sadly). 

What better way to reward a season-long of bitter in-fighting than with a series of meaningless games geared toward economic stimulation of numerous cities across the country (the #1 reason to keep the current system)?  I’m excited and can’t wait (which I’m sure is not the feeling in Boise, Ft. Worth, and Cincinatti… But those are the breaks.  All the proposed plans for the four-team play-offs would’ve left one or two of you out, anyway.)

Without further ado, here’s my guide to the bowl season:

New Mexico – December 19^th

            Wyoming v. Fresno State

The last time Wyoming played in a bowl game, Michael Jordan was dominating the NBA, milk and a galloon of gas cost a little over a dollar, and Barack Obama was a barely visible community organizer on the south side of Chicago.  Needless to say it’s been awhile.  Expect the Cowboys to be distracted by the vibrant, Albuquerque nightlife (don’t laugh… ‘querque is LA compared to Laramie)

            Prediction: Fresno State 31, Wyoming 17

St. Petersburg – December 19^th

            Rutgers v. Central Florida

Here’s a battle of Knights, version red and golden.  Rutgers coach Greg Schiano prides himself on being able to recruit in Florida, so this game will have a little more riding on it than the average bowl game.  Mid-tier recruits notwithstanding (seriously, no blue chipper from the Sunshine State is going to Jersey or Orlando unless they’ve been charged with a felony… Even then, they’ll probably elect to go to Tennessee), look for Rutgers to grind out a fairly, easy win.

            Prediction: Rutgers 26, Central Florida 13 

New Orleans – December 20^th

            Middle Tennessee v. Southern Miss

Southern Miss can score points in bunches (Just ask Houston) and Middle Tennessee’s marquee win was when they barely beat Maryland, possibly the worst team in a major conference.  This one won’t be for the defensive minded fan, but I don’t think people usually turn on the New Orleans Bowl for clinical football.

            Prediction: Southern Miss 55, Middle Tennessee 35

Las Vegas – December 22^nd

            BYU v. Oregon State

This one is the lone, marquee match-up in this year’s first week of bowls (sorry, USC-BC).  Can BYU slow down the Rodgers brothers?  Not Likely.  Will Max Hall write one last, statistically-insane chapter to his legend?  Perhaps (OSU slowed down Jeremiah Masoli, but not Andrew Luck and Matt Berkley).  This one is a toss-up, I just hope the scoreboard in Sin City has been serviced recently because it’ll get a workout with this game.

            Prediction: Oregon State 51, BYU 49

Poinsetta – December 23^rd

            Utah v. California

In the season’s first bowl game not named for a place, two schools, named for a place, play each other.  Utah is far removed from last year’s dream 13-0 season, but still has a talented squad.  Matt Riley’s Golden Bears are every bit as talented, and soft, as any squad he’s ever coached.  I’ll take heart and Mormonism in this one.

            Prediction: Utah 24, California 19

Hawaii – December 24^th

            SMU v. Nevada

This game will be a Homecoming for once favorite son, SMU Coach June Jones, who established an exciting program at the Univeristy of Hawaii.  Look for his SMU team to relish their first post-season visit in like 2934873 years with another high-scoring game against the Wolfpack.  Both teams are big on offense and not so much on defense.  I give the edge to Nevada since they have Hawaii in their conference, they shouldn’t be too fazed by the environment.

            Prediction: Nevada 62, SMU 45

Meineke Car Care – December 26^th

            UNC v. Pittsburgh

This should be titled the letdown bowl.  After promising expectations (in Pitts case, a great 9-3 season which saw them 1:45 away from being BCS-bound.  A horrible exchange… No offense, Charlotte), both these teams are left to rue over another pre-New Year’s bowl.  Which team will use this to launch their season for next year?  I’m guessing the Tar Heels, which only lose two starters combined on offense and defense and should threaten for a conference (and even National) championship next season.  Though, we’ve heard this before.

            Prediction: UNC 27, Pitt 21

Little Caesars – December 26^th

            Ohio v. Marshall

The only thing that tops my shock that Little Caesars still exists, and that they can sponsor a bowl game, is the fact that Marshall is playing in a bowl game.  Does this game pit the MAC #8 and MAC#9 teams?  Wow.  Does it even matter who wins this game?  I guess this doubles as some sort of rivalry.

            Prediction: Ohio 24, Marshall 10

Emerald – December 26^th

            USC v. Boston College

Ah… In one corner, we have the class of the college football world for the past decade finally having a mortal season.  In the other corner, we have Boston College who is just happy to be here.  If USC were to play like this were a gateway back to prominence for next season, this game wouldn’t be close.  However, I feel they’ll play pretty uninspired, dissatisfied with themselves and their season, and hoping to get over as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, Boston College doesn’t possess 1/5^th the talent to trouble the hapless Trojans.

            Prediction: USC 30, Boston College 17

Music City – December 27^th

            Kentucky v. Clemson

Like Pittsburgh, Clemson came oh so close to playing in a BCS game (the Pitt-Clemson ratings would’ve been abysmal.  The Orange Bowl Committee is much happier with the GT-Iowa matchup.  MUCH HAPPIER).  Alas, they’ll have to content themselves with Nashville, a definite downgrade from Miami.  Unfortunately for Kentucky, Dabo Swinney is now coaching the Tigers, as opposed to Tommy “I can’t win after Halloween” Bowden.  At least Kentucky can save on air fare and tell their grandkids they played against C.J. Spiller.

            Prediction: Clemson 44, Kentucky 27

Independence – December 28^th

            Georgia v. Texas A&M

Jerrod Johnson made himself a household name by leading in undermanned Aggies squad in a just-short upset bid over rival, Texas.  This game will determine whether he’s the frontrunner for All-Big 12 and (possibly) Walter Camp honors next year, or whether he’ll follow fellow underclassmen, Jimmy “Glass Jaw” Clausen into the draft.  Looking at what fellow Big 12 QB, Josh Freemen, was able to accomplish last year with a good combine (1^st round pick despite a largely mediocre, college career), Johnson might try his luck.  I think he could use another year, but who’d turn down guaranteed millions?

            Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Georgia 23

Eagle Bank – December 29^th

            UCLA v. Temple

Up until Saturday, this was going to be a three-way brawl (as the original line had Army/UCLA v. Temple), terrordome-style or Rick Neuheisel was waiting to the 11^th hour, trying to convince his team to fly cross country to beat up on an opponent of no consequence (In all seriousness, Army needed to beat their rivals, Navy, in order to secure the requisite win total to be bowl-eligible.  They didn’t.  Their loss is UCLA’s sorta gain).  The Owls, making their first bowl bid seemingly since Jim Thorpe spurned their Letter of Intent to sign with the Carlyle School, are ecstatic to have a post-season to play in and would’ve taken either opponent.  Unfortunately, Navy really wanted that Commander-and-Chief trophy.

            Prediction: UCLA 20, Temple 16

Champ Sports – December 29^th

            Miami (FL) v. Wisconsin

In what is now becoming a yearly rite of passage, Wisconsin will travel down to sunny Florida to get the crap kicked out of them by a more athletic, annoyed ACC team.  Last year, Florida State scored about 381294872 points on them after a lackluster season.  This year, look for Jacorry Harris and Company to take out a late season collapse on the Badgers.  This one will be over by halftime.

            Prediction: Miami (FL) 51, Wisconsin 17

Humanitarian – December 30^th

            Idaho v. Bowling Green

Welcome to big-time football, Idaho!  As a reward, you get to be featured, nation-wide televised, at your bigger, better in-state rival.  That’s gotta leave every Vandal smarting just a little bit… They can score and will do so often on the Falcons.

            Prediction: Idaho 63, Bowling Green 41

Texas – December 30^th

            Missouri v. Navy

This bowl might be over in less than three hours.  Neither team is particularly in love with the forward pass; Navy, because their triple option attack is so lethal, and Missouri, because they’re just not that good.  Navy almost upset Ohio State and finished off Notre Dame in South Bend.  Missouri plays in the weakest division in major college football and didn’t come close to winning the division. 

            Prediction: Navy 27, Missouri 16

Holiday – December 30^th

            Arizona v. Nebraska

San Diego is this year’s location for the official “Bride’s maid” Bowl.  Arizona saw their Rose Bowl dreams vanish in a Jeremiah Masoli OT TD, Nebraska saw their Fiesta Bowl dreams evaporate on a fortuitous, instant replay reversal which allowed Texas’ escape.  Ndamukong Suh will be the reason Nebraska wins this one…  I’m glad he didn’t win the Heisman.  That’s why they have the Outland Trophy.

            Prediction: Nebraska 23, Arizona 13

Armed Forces – December 31^st

            Air Force v. Houston

The Falcons are back to where long-time coach Fisher DeBerry constantly had the team back in the “hey day”s of the 90s.  While not ready to challenge Navy for the Commander-and-Chief Trophy, they’re not a far way off.  However, they’re a far way off of challenging Houston. 

            Prediction: Houston 59, Air Force 20

Sun – December 31^st

            Stanford v. Oklahoma

The Toby Gearhart bowl should be one of the most highly talked about bowls that have no real bearing on the future of anything.  Part of the talk will deal with Sooner coach Bob Stoops.  As one of the game’s highest paid coaches in especially recession-hit Oklahoma, Stoops’ salary, as well as the Sooners 7-5 record, will be the talk of bloggers.  Expect Gearhart to play with Heisman vengeance.

            Prediction: Stanford 23, Oklahoma 21

Insight – December 31^st

            Minnesota v. Iowa State

This game wins the “Wait… those teams are bowl eligible!?!?!” award.  The Gophers have a QB identity crisis and the Cyclones (who have an identity crisis of their own… they look like they’re wearing USC’s uniforms) were the first to expose the world to the fact that the Cornhuskers have no offense.  This one isn’t worth missing a New Year’s Eve party over.  Though, it does beat the slew of New Year’s eve specials.

            Prediction: Minnesota 14, Iowa State 12

Chick-Fil-A – December 31^st

            Virginia Tech v. Tennessee

Some games, especially this one, feel like they should be rivalry games and played on a semi-regular basis.  These two, separated by 236 loosely populated miles, have been brand names in the College Football world for quite some time that it’s a wonder how they haven’t found a way to renew acquaintances more often.  The similarities don’t stop there as Lane Kiffin seems to be bringing a Frank Beamer-esque toxic atmosphere to the banks of Knoxville.  Look for Tyrod Taylor and friends to save some face for a lackluster 2009 season in emphatic fashion.

            Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Tennessee 7

Outback – January 1^st

            Northwestern v. Auburn

The Gene Chizik Era started off with “Told you so!” enthusiasm (5-0) and finished with a more expected result (2-5, with one win over a FBS team).  However, I do give Chizik credit for assembling a staff of “us vs. the world”ers (headlined by the always vengeful Gus Malzahn and his super powered offense).  Now, the test will be what he does next year in a loaded SEC West.  A good start would be to beat an overmatched Wildcat squad.  If betting were legal, I’d take Northwestern to cover the spread.

            Prediction: Auburn 27, Northwestern 24

Capital One – January 1^st

            Penn State v. LSU

Joe Paterno must be loving life right now.  With Bobby Bowden’s retirement, he stands alone, with no other challengers within sight, at the precipice of the coaching profession (in terms of wins).  I expect him to coast for the next few years, getting eight to nine wins in the “competitive” Big 10, and calling it a career, handing over the reins to his son.  That being said, look for Penn State to win most of the games they should, and none of the ones they shouldn’t.  This game falls into the latter category.

            Prediction: LSU 20, Penn State 9

Gator – January 1^st

            Florida State v. West Virginia

Here’s the final curtain call for two legends as long-time Defensive Coordinator, Mickey Andrews, and Hall of Fame Head Coach, Bobby Bowden, take the sideline for the final time (at least as Florida State coaches).  The whole notion of “win one for us” will be out there from every news outlet with even a semblance of coverage for the game and it will carry the day.  Unfortunately, this middling-to-average Seminole squad should’ve invoked that strategy against a flawed Gator team in the season finale as opposed to a very limited Mountaineer team.  Oh well, look for Noel Devine and Tavon Austin to make it interesting.

            Prediction: Florida State 30, West Virginia 24

Rose – January 1^st

            Ohio State v. Oregon

The Granddaddy of them all isn’t exactly your granddaddy’s Rose Bowl.  The Buckeyes and Ducks should put on an aerial display with two of the game’s most exciting QBs in Jeremiah Masoli and Tyrelle Pryor, but the game will hinge on defense.  Unfortunately, the Buckeyes haven’t really stepped up their game and will need a Herculean effort from Pryor to overcome the Ducks.  Unfortunately, Pryor hasn’t brought one of those this season (see: Ohio St.-USC and Ohio St.-Purdue) and Masoli has twice (see: Oregon-Arizona and Oregon-Oregon State).

            Prediction: Oregon 34, Ohio St. 23

Sugar – January 1^st

            Florida v. Cincinnati

Last we saw wunderkid, Tim Tebow, he was pulling an Adam Morrison as the final moments of the SEC Championship game ticked away.  Now, as he makes his annual Award show circuit, he’ll be reminded daily of his teary eyed defeat and we’ll get a chance to see the real Tim Tebow.  Will he wilt, lose his confidence, and fade into oblivion (a la Adam Morrison) or will he show resolve, fire up his teammates, and obliterate the Bearcats in New Orleans?  I’m thinking somewhere between the two (not that he’s not tough, but he’s only lost seven times out of fifty four career games, two of his last twenty-six… this is an unusual feeling for him and his teammates).  I’m expecting a tough, gritty Gator win (this was written before Brian Kelly took the Notre Dame job… Florida is going to knock the Bearcats back to irrelevance)

            Prediction: Florida 41, Cincinnati 13

International – January 2^nd

            South Florida v. Northern Illinois

It has been quite some time that we’ve seen a four-year, successful starter so easily forgotten in the wake of a true freshmen’s promise (last occurrence: Florida 2006), yet, that is the case at South Florida.  B.J. Daniels has all but erased program-maker Matt Groethe (for good reason… Daniels is superior in every single way.  Speaking of that, Brother A.J. made a funny remark about the Yankees recently signing Curtis Granderson in relation to Johnny Damon: “That’s it for Damon.  Granderson is better in every conceivable way that one can be better than someone else.  He’s faster, younger, more successful with the ladies… his charities raise more money.  He’s better!”.  South Florida in a blowout, unless the Toronto cold prevails.

            Prediction: South Florida 34, Northern Illinois 16

Papajohns.com – January 2^nd

            Connecticut v. South Carolina

Still reeling from the death of star Cornerback, Jasper Howard, UCONN has pressed through this season, courageously and unified.  While that didn’t show up on the scoreboard the first three games after Howard’s murder, it has the past few weeks in a major way.  Look for the Huskies to keep the streak going in one more tribute to their fallen brother and for Coach Randy Edsell to be on a short list of the various, coaching vacancies.  Though, how could he leave a school, and players, after forming such a permanent bond with them?  How could he stay at a school with that dark mark hanging over him?

            Prediction: Connecticut 20, South Carolina 16

Cotton – January 2^nd

            Mississippi v. Oklahoma State

Here is a bowl featuring two teams that were expected to have an outside shot at getting to Pasadena for the BCS Championship.  Once again, we find, championships aren’t won in August (but through luck and follow-through).  Mike “I’m still a man!  I’m 41!!” Gundy is in more dire straits as his team gagged away a BCS bowl berth down the stretch and his star QB had a total loss of confidence, Flacco Fever (yes, I’m bitter this very attainable, Ravens season is slipping away before my eyes).  Houston Nutt, the king of gadgetry, is the ultimate trickster who will relish three weeks to game plan.

            Prediction: Mississippi 34, Oklahoma State 26

Liberty – January 2^nd

            East Carolina v. Arkansas

This game is usually an annual blowout waiting to happen.  Conference USA is, usually, not in the same league as the SEC (which is why we don’t have a play-off).  However, this year may be an exception.  Though, that has nothing to do with the caliber of Skip Holtz’ Pirates (they’re good), but, more so, with the rebuilding going on with Bobby Petrino’s Razorbacks.  Ryan Mallet is going to be a star; he’s just not there yet.  This one will be close, but I give it to the hogs and their superior athletes.

            Prediction: Arkansas 30, East Carolina 19

Alamo – January 2^nd

            Michigan State v. Texas Tech

I can’t pretend to care about this game.  I’m tired of reading articles about “how smart” and “how advanced” Bob Leach, and his Red Raiders’ offenses, has become over the years.  Until he can pretend to care about defense, I can’t take them seriously (obviously, last year was an exception.  Though, Crabtree is just that good).  On the other side, you have the Spartans which are abysmal in every sense.  This one won’t be pretty.

            Prediction: Texas Tech 44, Michigan State 23

Fiesta – January 4^th

            TCU v. Boise State

Here is a game that should’ve happened during the regular season.  I think that, in order to end all of this mid-major for BCS conversation, the Mountain West champion should play the WAC champion.  That way, we’ll have one qualified winner come out that should contend with the rest of the major conference teams.  That’s unfair, you say?  Then these programs should dedicate their athletic programs to reaching the level of a major conference and apply for membership.  Beside the point, I know, TCU has too much defense and just enough offense.

            Prediction: TCU 27, Boise State 22

Orange – January 5^th

            Iowa v. Georgia Tech

How did the 2-loss Hawkeyes get into a BCS bowl?  No one really knows.  Though, it has more to do with other team’s deficiencies than the merits of Iowa.  Look for their slow defense to be run ragged by the misdirection of the Yellow Jackets triple option attack. 

            Prediction: Georgia Tech 37, Iowa 17

GMAC – January 6^th

            Troy v. Central Michigan

The victory lap for prolific Chippewas’ QB, Dan LeFevour, will be as impressive as his four years at Central Michigan.  Lost in all the Tim Tebow hoopla are the otherworldly stats that LeFevour has put up in his career.  LeFevour is the only player in NCAA history to have over 12,000 passing yards and 2,500 rushing yards and is the record holder for most total touchdowns in a career.  Look for him to substantially add to both totals in this one.

            Prediction: Central Michigan 56, Troy 31

BCS Title Game – January 7^th

            Texas v. Alabama

Congratulations to Mark Ingram, the second sophomore to win the Heisman trophy.  Unfortunately, this may be the highlight of his career.  Check the track record of running backs, not named Herschel Walker, who absorb this much of a beating so early in their career.  Doesn’t look good.  I think he may have peaked, athletically, and may not be able to make the transition to being an elite Sunday player.  I see a lot of Eric Rhett in him.  Speaking of not translating, poor Colt McCoy.  Four years of winning and big stats and success without major hardware to show for it (he had the unfortunate luck to be placed in an era of other, prolific QBs).  Finally, McCoy is getting his shot at a national title.  Regrettably, he also has his weakest supporting cast.  The, supposed, equalizer was the weak play of Alabama’s QB, Greg McElroy, which was disproved in the SEC title game.  Nick Saban and the Tide will clinch their first National title since 1993.

            Prediction: Alabama 27, Texas 17

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I am not sure why anyone would take the time to read this considering Tommy Tuberville has already called the game a 3 touchdown Auburn win. Oh well, I’ll blog on for my health (and my 9 fans!).

I’ve probably said this every week and regardless of the outcome Saturday morning in Wal-Mart town, I’ll probably say it again, like 6 more times: Auburn cannot overlook this game.

Yes, we went on the road last week and beat a good defensive team in Tennessee. True, we were a probably better than the score suggested, but not so good we can play like the 4th quarter again and hope to win. This week, we’ll be tested in a bizarro world sort of way, facing an offense very much like our own in that they spray the ball all over the field with enough accuracy to merit national attention. To say Ryan Mallett has a cannon for an arm is an oft repeated understatement. The kid can play football and make your defense look silly.

Where Arkansas hasn’t stood out in a good way is, (1) on defense and, (2) with the running game. Both of these facts present Auburn with an enticing banquet of BBQ options – chopped, sliced and straight up. Do we run like crazy until an already vulnerable Arkansas pass defense pushes forward into the box or bomb away and run late? On defense, do we pin our ears back with no regard for the run early to shake Mallett, or just drop everyone back into coverage looking for picks?

Joe didn’t buy into the Arkansas hype pre-season, and with the exception of last week’s throttling of Texas A&M, I’m not too far off my guess they would be 1-3 when the Tigers came prowling. However, it is still Arkansas and if not for the perfect timed intervention of Acid, I’d let perception rule reality on this one.

Auburn’s Offense deserves every bit of praise, recognition and press it is gathering. We are scary good on offense; not just in coaching, but (at times) execution.  Arkansas’s defense is ranked 78th in interceptions and 95th in sacks. Couple that alongside Auburn’s lack of interceptions thrown and sacks allowed and it is hard not to buy into the optimism surrounding an expected shootout. This is a game Coach Gus Malzahn wants to win, and I would guess, make a bit of a statement too. However, an interesting factoid is Arkansas being ranked 11th in tackles for loss. Think about that with how many times Auburn’s offense exchanges the ball deep in the backfield?

That last fact and question combo make me think Auburn is going to come out throwing the ball to start and as Arkansas backs some pressure off the line of scrimmage, use the running game more and more as the game progresses. As unscientific and common-sense as it may seem, Coach Malzahn will probably just attack Arkansas at their weakest point early and often versus establishing the run as we’ve seen so prominently thus far.

The Auburn Defense was a few early dropped passes from having a dogfight in Knoxville. UT was finding open receivers across the middle, they just couldn’t catch the ball. All this from a straight away, stand in the pocket, high percentage type passer. Mallett is slightly more mobile, but has the arm to throw strongly back across the field and the accuracy to place the ball at will. The secondary will earn their scholarships on Saturday. Arkansas has thrived on big plays on offense, a fact that Alabama recognized and shut down. Auburn has struggled to get off the field at times and has a penchant for surrendering big plays when I have a mouthful of concessions and most likely to choke. Both Auburn and Arkansas have been good at taking care of the football, but with the ‘Hawgs reliance on big plays, it could become prime poaching for the Tigers. And then there is the issue of zero depth at linebacker coupled with more question marks for the guys who are there.

I haven’t seen an Arkansas rushing attack to speak of. Statistically, they have two backs with over 5 yards per carry averages, but on limited touches and total yardage. Again, Auburn will need to watch the 3rd down draw and delay plays out of the backfield in order to give the Tiger offense every available opportunity to attack. The truth is, Arkansas lives and dies by the 350+ yard passing game. Fortunately, Auburn has some talent to protect against the deep stuff, but the linebackers have been underwhelming in guarding the flats and middle of the field. Petrino and Mallett will probably exploit this. Oh joy.

Special teams belongs to Arkansas both statistically and visually. They have a top 10 team in kick returns, something Auburn hopes to do often (kickoffs) and stop more often (returns). I still make my open plea for Auburn to put 11 men on the line come Razorback punt time and forget the fair catch and fumble routine.

Overall, the coaching matchups should be as much fun to watch again this week as the Malzahn-Kiffin subplot was last week. Coach Gene Chizik and Bobby Petrino worked together and know each other from Auburn, circa 2002. Coach Malzahn and Rocker have Arkansas coaching history. There are state tie-ins at the player level on both squads also. Maybe not bad blood, but certainly personal history and involvement will play a role.

I’m hoping for a shootout that is heavily armed and weighted to the Orange and Blue gunslingers. Wishing for a monkey stomp figures in there somewhere too. Auburn has all the numbers on its side, Arkansas has home field advantage on its side. Just how much Auburn allows last week’s celebration and the new Top 20 ranking to cloud their performance remains to be seen. Arkansas needs this one a little bit more, but I am going to pick Auburn on top in the end. War Eagle, and safe travels!

Auburn 48, Arkansas 42.

5 weeks are done, and it’s gone by too fast.  You knew it would.  Good things always do.  What’s surprised us so far?

1) Who needs a Tuberville?  Auburn is just fine thank you very much.  Gene Chizik could very easily hold a press conference and demand apologies to the fans who doubted him, but he’d best be careful to take too much credit.  Though he is the one who brough Guz Malzahn, offensive extraordinaire over to the plains.  Before putting up 26 Saturday night, the Tigers were running up 45+ on opponents.  Let’s see how the Auburn D handles surprising offensive powerhouse Arkansas this weekend. 

2) The Florida-LSU tilt this weekend could very well be a SEC Championship preview, though I still see Bama getting there over LSU.  I had all but a few nails hammered into the LSU coffin after seeing them escape with a W against Miss St a few weeks back, but they showed serious balls pulling out a win between the Athens hedges Saturday.  Biggest question of course surrounding this weekend’s game is whether or not Tebow will play after this hit against Kentucky 

If Tebow does play, I can see Florida winning big.  That said, the UF offense still hasn’t quite looked like itself this year.  LSU’s got a defensive coordinator who knows how to at least contain Florida, and if the Gators can’t get things going early, this could be their first loss of the year.  One thing’s for sure: should Tebow play, look for LSU to be after him like Gator fans get after a big sale on jean shorts.

3) Celebration penalties are going too far as evidenced by the UGa-LSU game this past Saturday.    It’s time to give up on this idea that NCAA refs and the policies in general can “tame” the game of football.  The handshakes before games are a bad joke that reeks of pee wee football where players almost care more about sharing their lunchbox food than the actual game.  Then you throw in celebration penalties, as if we expect these guys who are helping earn universities millions of dollars NOT to be excited about scoring a TD?  If the NCAA really wants to turn these players into nothing more than boring “unpaid by the hour” Saturday afternoon employees, then go the whole way with it.  Penalize teams for Gatorade showers.  Penalize linebackers if after they sack a QB they don’t help him back up.  Penalize fans if they boo a call. 

It’s absurd to tell an 18 year old kid to go out, knock someone’s helmet off, score touchdowns in front of 100,000 fans and millions of viewers and NOT show emotion about it.  Give it up already.

4) Wanna know what kids in Knoxville are wearing for Halloween?  Scapegoat costumes.  Every but Lane Kiffin, that is.  We all pile on Jonathan Crompton because honestly he’s one of the worst starting QBs in SEC history.  We now trash the Vols wideouts that couldn’t catch a pass of their QB was throwing Erin Andrews to them (yes, we mean you Quinton Hancock).  Then many of the UT faithful are STILL putting the bus in reverse to knock ex-coach Phil Fulmer some more for the bad players he brought.  But what about Lane Kiffin?  Sure it’s his first year, but is he completely immune to criticism?  His play calling against UCLA was downright awful, and at times Saturday was at best very questionable.  Why after a great trick play to start the game would you go with 3 passes with your pathetic passing game?  Makes no sense.  Kiffin’s in no danger of being fired this year, but make some changes to show you’re trying.  Why have you left Crompton in so long?  Why have you hired an offensive coordinator if YOU are still gonna call the plays? 

5) South Carolina may very well be the 3rd best team in the SEC.  Yes, I said it, as a Clemson fan it pains me to do so.  But what’s going on down in Columbia is flying under the radar largely because of other big name SEC schools making headlines.  Eric Norwood and Cliff Matthews are both 1-2 in sacks in the league, and rank 3rd in the league in total D behind…you guessed it: Florida and Alabama.  QB Stephen Garcia has gotten his act together, and, should he stay sober the rest of the season, could lead the Cocks to a 8-9 win season.

Auburn moved to 5-0 Saturday night in Knoxville, Tennessee and will hopefully earn the requisite votes to crack the Top 25 later today as a reward. Most of us were somewhat stunned to only be up 13-6 at the half, even though that same ‘most’ would have never guessed Auburn’s defense would stand up the way they did, or our offense would move the ball so well, only to stall deep in the red zone.

And what a week of building excitement for a game between two unranked teams? Between wondering what foolishness Kiffin would say next to UT canceling Tiger Walk, to all my fellow bloggers wondering about Isom, injuries and praising Kiffin the elder’s defense – you would have thought this was a top 5 matchup destined for ESPN Classic. And yet, Auburn didn’t need this game nearly so much as Tennessee. Yes, Coach Chizik could use erasing the zero in his road wins column as a head coach and yes, Auburn could use a good performance on the road to continue learning, but Tennessee needed this game to remain relevant for something other than ESPN soundbites.

As we all now know, your final was much more than a scoreboard showing the Tigers victorious over the Vols, 26 to 22.

The Tennessee Offense, largely extinct

 Tennesse managed just over 200 yards through 3 quarters. Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens were terrors on the field and Walt McFadden added some terror of his own with an injury scare but couldn’t be kept off the field. Most of UT QB Crompton’s success actually came not only in the 4th quarter, but after Auburn had the game tucked away and played softer coverage patterns. A personal favorite was when Crompton got rushed and plunked one of his unsuspecting receivers in the head as he crossed the center of the field. Yes, the UT fans cheered each completion. It was easy to see why.

The Auburn Defense, Phoenix rising

 Someome forgot to tell our Defense they were dead this year and Tennessee would torch them on the high ground of Neyland Stadium. UT did open up on offense with their own wildcat formation and the initial run elicited groans from the AU faithful. However, a couple of long runs aside, Auburn stuffed the vaunted UT attack and kept Crompton scrambling with 5 hurries (no sacks?!) and a string of bad throws. True, the UT receivers provided no help and looked more like Auburn’s punt return team during the first four games. But still – Auburn proved they can still play defense, even in the shadow of the offensive giant getting the press this year.

Auburn's Offense, fastest in the world (at times)

Auburn Special Teams, still proud

War Eagle, fly down the field!

Auburn travels to Knoxville for the beginning of what a lot of folks call, “the real season.” Or as Coach Chizik might say, ” to reveal the imposters.” No matter your personal feelings on who Auburn has beaten to this point, it would be hard to look at the schedule and on the morning of October 2nd, say, “the worst is behind us.”

This weekend Auburn starts a stretch run of all SEC October. Three of the five games are on the oppositions campus. The return trips to Jordan-Hare are against a Kentucky team that is as unpredictable as preseason Top 5’s and an Ole Miss team that all jokes aside, takes its personality from the Nutt. Yeah, unpredictable too.

None of that matters this morning. Or tomorrow. Because I promise you, if it matters, Eric Berry will be waiting to clean your clock and reset your pain extraction level to intolerant.

My virtual Garmin says the easy road to Knoxville is to look at their record and say, “2-2 with a loss to a Pac 10 team and THE FLORIDA = we are going to beat the Volunteers!” And while that may be the easy road there, the road back will be littered with all the broken face guards, shredded jerseys and twisted Under Armour shoes that go “click-clack,” that Monte’s defense can tear apart.

So what road does Auburn take that, a) gets them to Knoxville without any security concerns, b) takes the 90k+ fur hat wearing UT faithful out of the game, c) GETS THE WIN!, and d) gets Auburn home in time to leave for Wal-Mart town? I think the answer is simple: RUN the ball on offense, limit the run on defense and for the love of all that is holy and right in the world, hang onto the ball on punts!

Auburn Offense.

We face a Tennessee defense that quite literally, is the best we’ll face until the day after Thanksgiving. You’ll hear a lot about their injury problems, but UT has recruited better than Auburnwell over the past several years and have Talent O’Plenty. You can’t ignore the aforementioned Mr. Berry and sadly, he’ll be lined up against our rising star and QB Chris Todd favorite, Darvin Adams all night.

Where Auburn can take control of this game is by running the ball. Yes, the O-line will need to block on both sides of center unlike last week. Receivers will need to block downfield and the unnamed combo of Tate and McCalebb will need to pop a few extra aspirin pre-game. Tennessee’s defense is not just going to stack the box, they’re going to fill it like mom’s care package to an overseas soldier. We’ll get all the Full Monte we want when the senior Kiffin puts one-on-one coverage on our wide-outs and bum rushes the backfield. Pull this one off several times early, the crowd goes berserk and we’ll see how long Coach Chizik and Malzahn furiously chew their gum before needing a mid-game jaw replacement.

UT’s defensive weakness is a bit Shakespearean in that it is also their greatest strength. If Coach Malzahn can draw up the right amount of plays that capitalizes on their speed, aggressiveness and downright meanness, this is a team that can give up 20+ yard plays and keep them backing up. THE FLORIDA ran the ball to the tune of just over 200 yards, but had a couple of 20 to 23 yard runs at crucial times. Florida didn’t pass the ball for large chunks, but it was effective because it was short to mid-range, high percentage passes and just enough to keep UT from emptying the stands on third down to flood the Florida backfield.

I think Auburn is going to find the running game a tedious and drawn out process, similarly to West Virginia. The question will then become what does Chris Todd and Coach Malzahn do about the downfield passing attack against a more than capable UT secondary?

Auburn Defense.

Defensively, and quite honestly, Auburn has faced much more potent attacks so far. Crompton is cursed with the practice-superstar-gameday-dud moniker for good and proven reasons. Hardesty and company are flat out running back studs. Auburn’s front has to stay disciplined in lanes and assignments. Corner pressure applied at the right times, not every down, but key downs on Tennessee’s side of the 50 will bring turnovers. Crompton’s troubles have all come inside the Tennessee 40. Tennessee’s success has all come by running the ball to mid-field, mixing in play action, and running the ball into the end zone. If Auburn can slow down the rush and force Crompton to throw in the shadows of his own end zone the turnover game becomes option rich for AU.

The question for Auburn’s defense again comes with how well they manage to keep the ball in front of them and break down and tackle. If that doesn’t happen, and Tennessee gets their stable of running backs turned loose, Crompton becomes a non-factor and Auburn needs him to be under pressure to perform in order to get off the field and give the Auburn offense every opportunity it can get.

Auburn Special Teams.

I seriously have nothing good to say about this area. In what will surely be misread as a negative nanny comment, but is meant matter-of-fact, Coach Boulware appears to be the only blight on an otherwise impressive set of assistant coaches going into Week 5.

Overall, Auburn should win this game. Tennessee may be favored by 2 points, but I think that is just a nod to how ferocious Neyland Stadium can be in general. Add in a night game, ESPN coverage and an almost must-win scenario for UT to stay relevant for something other than a reality show, and Neyland becomes worth more than a touchdown by its own right.

Auburn and Tennessee has a lot of fond memories for anyone who came of age in the days of the pre division SEC (*ahem* Joe Auburn included). This contest should live up to the hype and be a formidable test for both teams as well as a turning point for the season – perhaps not 2004 style, but an indicator of just how good this Auburn team can be in year one of the Coach Chizik era. I look for Auburn to scrape through the game, introduce a couple of new wrinkles on offense and pull away in the 4th quarter. War Eagle!

Auburn 24, Tennessee 17.

UPDATE: Jerry of course does some very nice and detailed thoughts in Episode One and then follows that with a prediction and more info in Episode Two. Great stuff in both, check ‘em out.

Auburn Falls for Gus Malzahn — NCAA Football FanHouse.

A great article that speaks volumes about the changes on the Plains this fall.

I watched Auburn play several times last year and their offense was painful to watch.

I have seen them play several times, and I agree that the competition has not been that strong, but their offense is strong.

I cannot wait to see how many they pin on the Father and Son combo this weekend.

War Eagle!

Aside from the weather delay Saturday evening, Ball State and Auburn frolicked to the tune of a blowout which virtually everyone predicted. The final score was somewhat swayed by late game substitutions by the Orange and Blue and otherwise yielded little other than injury scares, burned red-shirts and a less than timely suspension.

Worst things first.

Special teams should be invoiced for ulcers, replacement hair and underwear. Just when you think things will improve, you see just how much worse they really can get. Gulley pulls an Edward Scissorhandson two punt returns, the first of which which puts Ball U up by 7. Hull is a hair under 60 yards per kickoff (on average), our best returns of the evening get called back on penalties, no pressure on opposing field goal attempts or punts and Coach Chizik is ready to even trot his 9-year old out to help. Far and away the worst call of the eveningseason, was the 4th and Highway 280 fake punt, which ended on doubly disastrous notes with McCalebb leaving the game.

Defense Man Walking.

Auburn’s defense had an amazing streak going from about mid first quarter until halftime. During that span, Ball State had drives that ended thus: fumble, fumble, punt, SAFETY, punt, downs, FIELD GOAL, halftime. During that same span, the offense got the message and went: punt, TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHDOWN, downs, FIELD GOAL. In the first half, the Auburn defense held BSU to 2 of 9 on third down conversions and 0 for 2 on 4th down. What happened in the second half could be loosely described as, “the party is waiting, but won’t wait all night.” Yes, the same defense which in 3 previous games adjusted, got tighter and shut down opposing offenses, simply leaned back and let the Cardinals roll. Virtually all of the BSU 260 yards came in the second half. Yes, Auburn appeared to be substituting liberally, but as Josephine pointed out at the end of the third, “their freshmen are better than our freshmen. Have we not recruited?” Bingo – winna, winna, chicken dinna!

Broken Records *yawn*

Auburn’s offense set another record when Chris Todd tossed in 5 TDs to tie the record for most in a single game. In 3 out of the 4 games this year, Auburn has rolled up over 500 yards, with Saturday night’s output at 560. That’s a full 300 more than BSU, and on the lowest total number of plays this season (63, or 8.9 per play). However, Auburn’s sloppy play and slow start also uncovered difficulties on 3rd down, going only 40% on conversions. Add to that a big, honking ZERO on 4th down conversions and yikes! Do we get another tune up game before Tennessee? The point that hurt about the conversions were how many of those were 3rd and less than 5 yards to go. The offensive line looked simply man-handled at times, perhaps in part due to Isom’s suspension and shifts across the front. 50+ points is nothing to finger-wag about though, and the Tigers are perfect for the month of September.

Overall, you truly cannot expect Auburn to be “up!” for every game, and hopefully after two straight SEC road games, we’ll all look back and be thankful for an opponent like Ball State to give us a break in preparation for a 6-0 run return to Jordan-Hare.

As Trooper might say, “We’re sitting on G, waiting on O, on a Monday.”

Auburn faces the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday evening in Jordan-Hare Stadium.  One year ago, this would have been a stiff test for the Tigers: the Cards ripped through the regular season at 12-0 and Auburn, well they were a far cry from that mark. However, we’re starting the second quarter of the 2009 season unblemished and heavily favored over the winless Indiana program better known as Ball U. For those of you who have nested underneath some dank bridge in a state that doesn’t have football, Ball State lost a coach and any star power after last season’s impressive run. What remains isn’t a pretty picture and has demonstrated virtually nothing so far in 2009.

The rest of the conference is over here this week, while Joe devotes a full article to the Tigers and what he believes will be a good tune up for the Vols next weekend.

Auburn gets some much needed help on defense this week with McKenzie back at the experiment better known as DE, Pybus returns to LB and Carter returns at DE. Anthony “Country Boy” Gulley has all but locked up punt returns and Eric Smith goes from bashing in the heads of fellow students after hours to precise wheel routes and big gains on offense. What does all this mean in relation to Ball U?

Let’s find out….

On offense this week, Auburn should return to running game running wild.  Too bad this wasn’t game 3 so future media guides would one day read, “Auburn began the 2009 campaign with three consecutive games with two backs rushing for more than 100 yards per game.” Ball State has surrendered an average of 22.3 points per game against such juggernauts as North Texas, New Hampshire and Army. The Cards give up approximately 204 rushing yards per game, but that number is tilted heavily to the 296 North Texas punched them with in week 1. I don’t see any real defensive standouts on this team and so I look for Coach Gus to pile on early and often with the running game in order to replace en masse by mid 3rd quarter. What we should see are a steady diet of about 5 different plays run out of the shape shifting formations Coach Gus has rolled out since arriving. The only real miscues I see are self-inflicted, thus it should be a 45+ point performance and above the going rate of 500 yards of offense per game. War Eagle indeed!

On defense the Tigers face a moribund bunch of red and white feathered midwestern farm birds. Their highest point total to date is 17 against Army. Their highest yardage output to date is 375 against the same. They have more passing yards in two contests and rushed for considerable more against only North Texas. What does all this have to do with Saturday? Probably not much considering  Auburn’s defense only shares one common denominator with any of Ball U’s previous opponents: 11 players on the field at one time. Senior MiQuale Lewis had a banner year last year with over 1700 rushing yards. This year, his best performance was against North Texas with 103 and a long of 31. Compare that against New Hampshire and Army and his average per rush is =/<1.5. So what do these Cardinals do to attack Auburn? Well, we should see a heavy dose of dual threat QB Kelly Page, a freshman who is second in rushing to the diminutive Lewis (5′6″). Page hasn’t done better than a 50% completion rate and tossed in 3 picks against Army to boot. However, he does have some mobile passes that went in excess of 40 yards. All of this is to say that Auburn has struggled against mobile QBs this season and past. Add in a shifty, smallish RB in Lewis and I think we’ll see Ball State try and keep things moving by, well, keeping the backfield moving. I seriously doubt either of the Cardinal QBs can air it out against Auburn, but if they take a page from our book and run, run, play action pass? We’ll see. Even if they do this with some success in the first half, the second half will be a different story – just as it has been this fall. I see the defense playing well, giving the offense plenty of time to dress rehearse the tempo game. I’ll even add a couple more interceptions by the Auburn squad because forcing Ball State to throw downfield only plays to our game plan, not theirs.

On special teams it is anyone’s guess. I’ll hope we don’t need to punt or cover punts and we have a dry day that allows plenty of deep kickoffs after each Auburn touchdown. At least that is what I have told myself all day and it has prevented me from having to develop any witty storyline here. Peace out.

Overall, Auburn wins this one big and early. The starters get some rest the coaches fine tune a few points, and this show goes on the road to Knoxville for a date with Kiffykins on October 3rd.

Ball U 13, Auburn 52.

Insert another shameless plug for Joe’s impressive 12-0 start to the season here.

If you’re a fan of SEC football, you have to have loved last weekend. Even with the lukewarm start by Carolina, the SEC rolled through the competition from Seattle to Atlanta, with the only hiccup taking place in Oklahoma.

This weekend really kicks off with league play featuring three matchups. Kentucky and Arkansas take their off weekend early before big games against Louisville and Georgia respectively on Sept. 19th. Tennessee gets a rematch against the Bruins, at home, while Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss all play organized scrimmages. More on those games later….

Auburn is home at Jordan-Hare again this weekend against the newly minted Mississippi State Bulldogs. Coach Dan Mullen, of recent Florida offensive coordinator fame is the new ball coach in Stark-vegas. Coach Mullen certainly has an impressive resume with everything from coaching Alex Smith into a top draft pick out of Utah to the run the Gators have enjoyed since Urban Meyer brought Dan with him from the Utes. Just how much Coach Mullen is able to influence with the Bulldogs this year remains to be seen. There are similarities between MSU and Auburn this year with new coaches and philosophies. However, a tip of the hat has to go to Gene Chizik for putting together what appears to be a more solid team of assistants. Add to that the slightly better overall talent level at Auburn and the home field advantage and this should result in Auburn facing West Virginia at 2-0.

Auburn Offense. Amazingly, Coach Chizik and Malzahn think Auburn has the potential for 15 more offensive plays per game than the opening night 75+. Obviously, opposing defenses will try and have a say so in that number, but the emphasis at least this week has been in picking up the pace. Key to that increased performance has to be more receivers getting into the mix. Assuming the running game improves from last week and Chris Todd is able to spray the ball across a larger portion of the field, Auburn should make light work of the Bulldog defense. The key matchup here is the line of scrimmage. Auburn’s offensive line dominates, and the orange and blue faithful will be rewarded with another impressive display of touchdown and field goal theatrics.

Auburn Defense. First of all, Auburn has to stop senior running back Anthony Dixon. At over 6′ and 230+ lbs., Dixon is the stereotypical, bruising SEC style back. Auburn has little depth in the front seven as evidenced by last week’s numbers indicating the starters were in on a staggering 81% of the plays. Add to this, MSU will play two talented and differing style of quarterbacks and the trainers are no doubt warming up the tubs and the ointments already. Statistically, Auburn hasn’t allowed a point on Sept. 12th in the past, but there seems to be little pointing in our favor on that front this year. I think MSU moves the ball more easily than we would like between the 20’s, but we stiffen up in the red zone.

Auburn Special Teams. The punt returner race was opened up after week one. Otherwise, if Auburn gets the ball within the Bulldog 33 yard line, Byrum should be on with FG attempts. Let’s hope we don’t have to resort to that as our only scoring option, but I do think Auburn possesses the edge in the kicking game this weekend.

Overall, Auburn should win. MSU has a solid defense, but I don’t think solid enough to withstand a multi-faceted rushing attach and vertical passing game, much less the tempo Auburn intends to force. This game could go into the fourth quarter within a touchdown though so Auburn’s ability to hold onto the ball this week and force a few MSU turnovers could be the difference. Miss. State 21, Auburn 31.

The rest of the West.

Florida International vs. UAT. The first in a two consecutive week lineup of opponents for the Tide which offer nothing more than a scrimmage against a less talented practice squad. FIU 0, UAT 49.

Vanderbilt vs. LSU. Although LSU looked more suspect than I thought against the Huskies last weekend, Vandy isn’t going to sneak up on, nor spook a Bayou Tiger. Vandy 10, LSU 24.

The East.

Troy vs. THE FLORIDA. Troy has shocked teams in the past. Troy has upset ranked teams in the past. However much the Trojans live out of their imagination, it won’t be enough to stop the Gator attack. Troy 7, Florida 35.

South Carolina vs. Georgia. This is the one game of the week with upset potential. Georgia should and could win this one easily. Don’t discount the Gamecock defense and Georgia’s o-line worries continue which is to say Joe Cox will be tested mightily. Unfortunately for Steve Spurrier, Georgia wants to erase the sting of losing on the road to the Cowboys last week too much. Cocks 13, Dawgs 17.

UCLA vs. Tennessee. UT should have won this game last year on the road. UT throttled the Hilltoppers last weekend. UCLA should show improvements over last year’s team. What does this all mean? Tennessee will probably win and win big. I don’t believe for an instant that UCLA can come to Knoxville and pull off the upset. The only thing working in the Bruins favor is Tennessee, might, and I stress might, be looking ahead to the Gators next week. I look for a slow start from both teams before UT starts putting all the pieces together. UCLA 17, UT 28.

Joe can’t think of a better way to kick off the annual rite of weekly picks than attending Tiger Talk live last night at Ariccia’s. Coach Chizik seemed almost as excited as the crowd did. He fielded questions well and although he didn’t work the crowd before putting on the headset, he stayed for quite some time afterwards for autographs and photos. My own picture attempt didn’t turn out so well, so this morning Joe has nothing to make this post more visually appealing.

After Tiger Talk, most of the crowd that stuck around watched Spurrier’s squad against NorthCarolina State. Joe mentions this only because that game set the tone for a lot of what we’ll probably see all weekend: sloppy play. It was good to see the ‘Cocks finish the night with a “W,” but I didn’t see much that indicated the East will be saved from the Gator nation.

La. Tech vs. Auburn. Questions abound for this one. La. Tech enters their third year withhead coach Derek Dooley, which traditionally means the biggest payoff in terms of talent, executing the coaches’ playbook and just plain ole swagger. The Bulldogs bring all this to Pat Dye Field withsome excellent returning talent. Our Auburn Tigers counter withall new coaches, shaky depth, a new playbook on bothsides of the ball and the foundation for what we hope will be swagger by the end of the month.

On offense, Auburn will have to establish the run early. La. Tech has a better than average defense against the run, and last year showed weakness against the pass. I have to believe Gus will want to run the ball early and often to set up play action and a vertical passing game later. I even expect several “trick” plays of the run variety to help keep the Bulldogs scattered on D. If the O-line isn’t drastically improved this game could take a turn for the worse in a hurry. I hope we get to see glimpses of multiple backs and wild cats and non-blocking tight ends and yes, a Chris Todd who takes major steps towards muffling a few critics and naysayers.

On defense, Auburn just needs to be ready to play straight ahead. La Tech isn’t going to win any awards for offensive creativity. They are physical, hard nosed and downhill. They have the skill players to challenge Auburn and if the Bulldogs run the ball early our D could be gassed by the 4th quarter.

Special teams. We’ve all no doubt read by now how hands on Coach Chizikhas been withthis during Spring and Summer camps. However, La Tech has a burner at kick returner and a Coach with a similar emphasis on the role of special teams. I’d call this one a toss up and hope after tomorrow night, all Auburn fans know a little bit more about what to expect from our kicking game and how we fare against the same.

Overall, Auburn should win this game. Were it not for all the “newness” in God’s country this Fall, I’d even go so far as to say Auburn runs wild. However, La Tech has proven dangerous to Auburn in the past when they’ve had skill players, namely at QB and RB like they do this year. Coach Dooley was rumored to have been considered for the job at Auburn early in the process, another sign that Auburn can’t overlook this first game. I don’t think Coach Chizikand his staff are going to do that, and I’m sure they have a plan in place. The real question tomorrow, and I believe all season long is going to be how do the players respond to being behind, turnovers, dropped passes and big plays. Then, based on the players response, how do our new coaches respond? Again with the questions Joe!

I look for this one to be painfully close at the half, or even for La Tech to go into the locker room with the lead. I don’t even know that it will be a high scoring game, but both teams should find the end zone early and then the defenses settle in. By the gun, Auburn should pull away for our first victory with plenty of lessons learned for the following weeks.

La Tech 21, Auburn 28.

And now, on with the rest of the SEC predictions!

The West.

UATvs. Virginia Tech. It pains me to write this almost as much as it has pained me to think about this game. This time last year, UAT was an underdog against a highly ranked, preseason darling Clemson. The absolute destruction the Tide wreaked on the Tigers set the tone for the rest of the year for both teams. As you know, UAT went on to run through the regular schedule and Clemson once again, was Clemson. Virginia Tech always hangs around the Top 10, deserving or not, and they enter this season at #7. The Tide is of course #5. I really don’t think the Hokies have much to caw about, and after tomorrow night, neither will the rest of the nation. UAT’s defense will stymie what’s left of VT’s running game and put too much pressure on the Hokie QB for this to be competitive. VT will probably look solid in the first half, but UAT pulls away in the second. Final score: UAT 27, VT 13.

Missiouri State vs. Arkansas. Please, *yawn* try and contain yourself for this one. Mizzou State 9, Arkansas 34.

LSU vs. Washington. While no one expects the Huskies to be as bad this year as they were last, it isn’t going to stop the Bayou Bengals from introducing the pacific northwest to the SEC style beat down that is coming. Sure, the Pac 10 has feasted on dog meat for a couple of years, but all the barking in the world isn’t going to keep the Tigers from climbing the trees to destroy the last person with a “W” on their helmet. This one could get so ugly, the fans will pray for a fog bank to roll in and hide their retreat. LSU 35, Washington 3.

Ole Miss vs. Memphis. This may actually be a good game and much closer than any of the red dixie cup sporting, boat shoe wearing, dressed up hayseeds from Mississippi care for. This game may be the epitome of sloppy play previously referenced, but Ole Miss should come out on top of the heap. Then again, Jevon Snead may light up Beale Street and fill the highlight reels to capacity. Joe says Ole Miss wins in the end, Ole Miss 28, Memphis 21.

Jackson State vs. Mississippi State. The Bulldogs will probably look really good in this game. So good, we’ll all wonder if Jackson State was that bad, or Dan the Man from Florida is really on to something. Auburn fans will groan and wonder if we find ourselves on the wrong end of 3-2 the next week. However, Joe says the Bulldog nation is all bark and no bite, but looks the part against on over-matched Jackson State. JS 10, Miss. State 24.

The East.

Charleston Southern vs. THE FLORIDA. Shame on you UF for scheduling this game. Shame on you NCAA for counting it when the carnage is over. The only other defeat that will look worse by year end will be when THE FLORIDA emaciates the Volunteers. CS 6, THE FLORIDA (a gazillion?).

Georgia at Oklahoma State. This is a tough game to read. On one hand, Georgia should be better than last year and on the other hand, so should Oklahoma State. However, I don’t know if the SEC has enough karma for two teams to go on the road in marquee match-ups and both win. Since I’ve already picked LSU to win, I have to say Georgia gets beaten by the narrowest of margins. UGA 17, Oklahoma State 20.

Miami, Ohio vs. Kentucky. This could very well be the only win UK has before coming to the Plains in mid October. A lot of folks think UK is on the rise, Joe says save it for the balloons. Miami, OH 13, Kentucky 24.

Western Kentucky vs. Tennessee. Please see Arkansas and Missouri State note. *Yawn*, WKU 7, UT 21.

Western Carolina vs. Vanderbilt. Enough with the directional schools already! WCU 13, Vandy 21.

Hey Football Fiends!

For the 3rd year in a row my Vol pal Byron is here to provide us with an SEC Preview. So without further ado, I’m turning the reigns over to Bryon Earnheart for the day:

2009 SEC Preview

by Byron Earnheart (one Vol fan who has not yet drank the Kiffin Kool-Aid)

Well college football fans, the time of the year we’ve been looking forward to is drawing nigh.  That’s right, it’s college football time!!  I don’t know about you all, but it couldn’t get here soon enough!  When I’m finding myself actually caring about baseball, I know I’ve been without my football for way too long.  Sadly, golf isn’t even doing it for me anymore…I just need my fix.  I need my Bloody Marys and my “Game Day” and my nachos and my BBQ sandwich and my Miller High Life and my couch and my wife to put up with me lounging on the couch all Saturday.  It’s time sports fans…it’s time.

Since the last SEC preview, I’ve found myself in a bit of a different situation…I got married.  Now, thankfully, she likes football and is somewhat conversational on the subject.  She knows enough about the BCS to pull for the teams for which we need pulling.  She got as excited as I did last year during that TX Tech/Texas game…not that we had anything to gain…but WHAT A GAME!  Every once in awhile, I have to explain to her some rule or why a coach would call a certain play at a certain time in the game, but that’s understandable…and, at least, she puts up with me sitting around hollering at the TV.

So, with the marriage as a theme, I’d like to go through the SEC with some quick-hit thoughts.

Something Ole: Well, not quite “something old…”, but you get the gist.  I’ll say more on this later, but if there’s a team in the SEC (not named Florida) who has the opportunity to excel this year, it’s Ole Miss.  That’s right…Ole Miss.  Great, proven QB…decent coach (my personal opinion of Houston Nutt aside)…favorable schedule…probably a top 15 national ranking.  “Wait”, you may be saying “what about LSU and Alabama?!  Saban is one season away from curing cancer and completely reinventing Western Civilization!”  Well, all of that may be true…but he and Miles both have unproven and young QB’s (not a good thing in this league usually) AND they have to go to Oxford to play.  While Oxford is not as intimidating as Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge, it’s still a road game…and Ole Miss does not have to travel to those aforementioned sights this year.  So, in my opinion, the West is Ole Miss’ to lose.  Will they choke?  Probably so at some point along the way…it’s almost inevitable in this league.  That said…at this stage of the year…it’s their division to lose.

Something New: 3 new coaches are in the SEC now…not to mention the 2 “new” coaches last year (Both Nutt and Petrino seemed to come into situations that were not their making…so, they’re still new to me).  Lane Kiffin, USC’s offensive coordinator when they ruled the world, is at UT and is writing checks that I HOPE his butt can cash.  Dan Mullen is at Mississippi State now hoping to “spread” some of the special sauce that he and Urban Meyer have cooked up over the years.  Gene Chizik joins the SEC at Auburn after he managed to completely stink up Iowa State.  This had to be the most bone-headed hire in the history of the SEC (and I am counting Ed Orgeron in this!), which leads me to my next point…

Something Borrowed: Time and Trouble.  I get the distinct impression that teams now are just borrowing trouble from some of these hires.  Gene Chizik…really?  Why do I get the feeling this has got “Ron Zook” written all over it…maybe even worse.  In the interest of fairness, I’ll throw my beloved Vols here as well.  If Kiffin doesn’t work out, we’re screwed.  Bad.  And when you think about it, that’s two solid programs with a great deal of history that’ve gotten kicked in the nether regions over a dumb hire.   (Gridiron Goddess says: Gee sort of like USC in the 1990s) All of this being said, if they pay off…they’ll pay off huge.  It’s sort of like getting in on a good stock.  If it takes off, you’re a flippin’ genius.  If not, then the bank is coming for your home and Little Junior is not going to college.

Now, why do I care about this in a Preview column?  Because that’s what the fans of these schools with new coaches are watching for.  We want to see improvement.  Most UT fans (the reasonable ones who a) actually went there and b) don’t have “Rocky Top” as car horn or doorbell) aren’t expecting a 12-1 season.  But, perception is on trial this year for at least 5 teams in the league.  We really have no idea what 4-5 teams are going to look like once they step out on the field.  The Court of Public Football Opinion, Southeastern District, is cruel.  Fans are going to want to see improvement.  They’ll want to see close games.  They’ll want to see their teams “in” games that they should not even be in.  We all want what Florida has, what Alabama is building, and what LSU is probably losing…but it can’t happen to everyone…so, someone is borrowing trouble!

Something Blue: So, I’m going to go ahead and spoil the fun and pick Florida and Ole Miss in Atlanta…and you have no idea how much that crawls under my skin.  I hate these two teams passionately.  Why?  I just do.  And what team has a more crystal clear path to the National Championship than Florida?  Let’s review…their ENTIRE D is coming back; they have Tim Tebow who rivals Chuck Norris in freakish talents, and an easy schedule.  Sure, they have LSU in Baton Rouge but, trust me on this, LSU’s Def. Coordinator wouldn’t know what to do with Florida’s offense if he was handed the playbook and given a month to study.  Sure, it’ll be a tight game for 3 quarters but Chavis will start giving the receivers nice 8 yard cushions.  It’ll be so nice to watch another defense implode on itself and not have the accompanying arm pains and shortness of breath.  So, with all of that…Gators, yet again, it’s all you.

So, here, in my predicted order of finish by division, is the SEC.

WEST:

1) Ole Miss:  I think I’ve explained my reasoning above for this.  I just like a team that’s got a great QB, good depth, able D, good coaching, and a favorable schedule.  Now, they may choke.  But at this point in the year, I just can’t bring myself to say they can’t win the West.

2) Alabama:  Yes, I know Nick Saban is God’s gift to mankind in the South and is the reincarnation of Bear Bryant.  But without a proven QB, even the Bear didn’t win every game.  I like everything about this team but the Ole Miss game and the young QB.

3) Arkansas: Bobby Petrino has proven he can win games, in my opinion, when he’s got the QB.  Mallet is that type of QB if you watched any of his Michigan games.  He’s got the skills (to pay the bills…sorry, couldn’t help it!).  There are some questions on Defense…like are they any good…but, I think the offense could save the team a few times.

4) LSU: I’ve just seen John Chavis’ defenses crumble too many times in the presence of teams that can pass the ball to get too excited.  In addition, Jarrett Lee did nothing to impress me.  I’m going to go out on a limb here…a REALLY big limb…and say that 2009 could be the beginning of the downward slide of LSU.

5) Mississippi State:  As this is my 2^nd favorite team in the league, I’m pumped about this year.  This is one of those teams that have to show improvement.  Perception is the name of the game here.  Mullen should bring a great deal of excitement to the team, and, coupled with a punishing RB (pending his DUI situation) and very serviceable D…it might be a decent year…look for them to sneak in the bowl picture.

6) Auburn: Crash and burned, huh Mav?  I just can’t find anything good to say about this team, I’m sorry.  I don’t hate the Tigers.  I just can’t find any reason to put them ahead of anyone in the division.  Gene Chizik?  Really?  That’s who you thought could do a better job than Tuberville?  Last year, Kodi Burns didn’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt.  It was embarrassing.  So, has it gotten better now that you got the Chizik?  The only good thing I can say, seriously, about Auburn, is that acquiring Gus Malzahn will probably save their butts some.  But if he doesn’t have the tools (and Burns did NOTHING to prove that he has the skills), it won’t matter.

EAST:

1) Florida:  Ok, save me the energy here…does anyone really argue this?  We can argue it if you want to…but you’re wrong.  This team reminds me of stacking your team on NCAA Football on PlayStation, turning it to JV level, and start getting top 5 recruiting classes each year…it’s almost not fun to watch.  And, TRUST ME…this praise is not because I like the Gators.  I hate them passionately!  But they’re really freaking good.

2) Tennessee:  Now, before this gets attacked, let me just say that UT, UGA, and South Carolina (maybe even Vandy) could make a bid here.  Neither of these teams have great QB’s, some have better D’s, some have more favorable schedules.  This really is a testament to how far down the East will be this year.  That said, I am going with my biases here.  While I trust UT’s QB about like I’d trust Simon Cowell to break a smile and say something positive (Dang, my wife’s got me watching American Idol…I’m sorry!).  Crompton just…I can’t even type his name without feeling the bile rise up.  However, the offense is supposedly easier to understand (It’d better be…God knows he shorted enough 5 yard passes last year.  Confusing stuff, I know!!).  The D should be good, and some good RB depth should give us a fighting chance.

3) Georgia: Again, not much difference here in UGA and UT.  Good depth, probably a more suspect D…unproven QB.  But UGA is one of the best coached teams in the league.  They lost a TON of talent though that they can’t easily replace coming out of the gate.  They have the talent…but it’ll take time to develop.

4) South Carolina:  Well, it looks like Garcia’s finally been paroled and allowed to play football again.  I know that was a cheap shot…but given all the crap that Satan…I mean…Spurrier’s dealt over the years, payback’s a mother!  Their D should be fairly solid, however.  I’m very impressed with Norwood as a LB.  He’s probably one of the most underrated players in the league.

5) Vanderbilt: Coming off the bowl win was HUGE for this program.  They always have a fairly decent D but lacking in the skill spots on offense.  Well, this year, they’re bringing back the team leaders in passing and rushing and 2/3 of the leaders in receiving.  Look for them to make some splash…possibly another bowl bid.  Also, as I said above, don’t count them out to be higher than this.  Last year, this team gave Mississippi State and Georgia all either team wanted.  While I’m not a big believer in “moral losses” since you still lose the game…Vandy’s the kind of team with the kind of talent that can slip up on most any team at any time.

6) Kentucky: I sort of miss those few years where Kentucky was good.  Now, I just don’t see it.  I will say that they had a heck of bowl game.  They’ll win games.  They won’t get creamed in every game they play.  A small running game and an average QB won’t move you up this list too much, I’m afraid.  Lost some key defensive players, as well.

So, that’s the year in preview.  I see Ole Miss and Florida going to Nashville with Florida beating them senseless.  Revenge is a tough pill to swallow.  Then, Florida will probably take on the winner of the Texas/Oklahoma game for the national title.  Who will it be?  I don’t care enough about the Big 12 to even begin to guess that.  Both of those teams are good and it’ll probably be a great game either way.

I wish everyone’s team good luck!

Auburn enters this fall with two QBs who played last year, one who shined this past spring and another who has made a name for himself in HS and across the world of facebook.

Auburn fans enter the fall divided over who should start and why.

Auburn bloggers, opinionated as they are, each jockey for their choice, carefully placing their arguments on the table in the hopes the dealer goes bust.

Joe Auburn: fan first, blogger second, but no less opinionated than the professionals, offers his own thoughts for the fray.

My depth chart:

1. Neil Caudle
2. Chris Todd
3. Kodi Burns
4. Tyrik Rollison

My comments from last year remain in place, and appear to be even more valid this year so far. In summary, Chris Todd has the grey matter to play this game. Chris Todd had the arm to play this game. Chris Todd’s future in Orange and Blue rests with the most recent shoulder surgery. Neil Caudle has the grey matter, almost has the arm, but doesn’t have surgery concerns (other than knee surgeries in HS). His future in Orange and Blue looked ever more shiny after A-Day. Kodi Burns has the feet and arms to play this game. He had the grey matter to play in HS, but as yet hasn’t proven to Joe he has graduated to the collegiate level. Kodi doesn’t have the throwing motion to prove he’s at the collegiate level yet either. Arm strength yes, mechanics and fundamentals no. Tyrik Rollison has proven numbers in HS and facebook status updates a-plenty. Let’s hope he graduates mentally and steps up both his mental and physical game to the SEC level.

Why the resurgence of Caudle who the Tuberville staffs’ dismissed? The skills were always there, the confidence was not. Playing QB is a lot like pitching in major league baseball or leading soldiers on a battlefield. It takes supreme confidence, sound fundamentals, in-depth knowledge of the playbook and an understanding of the opponent that borders on mind-reading. Neil had the fundamentals  and he probably even picked up a lot of the playbook and opponent study from the film room. Yet, he lacked the confidence of his superiors which translated to a lack of confidence from his peers which further cast him down into the area of, “zero defects allowed.”

What I saw of Caudle at A-Day was a QB who given time (aka, offensive line), checked off the reads, looked for the best possible play and executed. He was less effective when forced to throw on the run, but he proved his mobility nonetheless – something Todd hasn’t quite pulled off. Given another quarter of play, Caudle could have possibly locked down the starting role exiting A-Day. You could quite literally watch his confidence surge that much as the game progressed.

What Joe would like to see is a two QB system with clearly defined roles. I would go so far as to say Malzahn can even put both QBs on the field at the same time (Caudle and Burns that is). Caudle would be my starter and Todd the back up. Burns would be THE part of packages that highlight moving attacks – both on the ground and through the air. Caudle is the QB to use the team run to set up the pass, while Burns is the QB who uses the threat of his run to mix in the pass. There is a tremendous amount of difference to an opposing defense. Lock down on Burns, immobilize the offense. Lock down on Caudle, give up the big run to Tate, Fannin, etc.

Listen, I don’t care who starts honestly, I care who finishes and gets the job done. While it is fun to share my observations and pontificate about the direction of Auburn’s QB battle, it is more fun to watch Auburn fly down the field and score more points than our weekly opponents. If you are interested in stirring the pot that is brewing over Auburn’s QB in the fall, check out Jay Tate’s breakdowns of Caudle and Burns as well as Jerry’s thoughts over at the JCCW. Both of these guys fall in the “professional” category and offer at times more sound thoughts than Joe.

By the way, one of Joe’s personal favorites is back to posting more than once in an Orange and Blue moon. The War Eagle Reader’s latest photo expo is fun and at the same time a nice and gentle reminder of Auburn’s deep and long rooted history.

The online “urban dictionary” contains no less than 12 pages of variations on the definition of “ballin.” For my Indiana friends, I think the most appropriate (and said with the utmost affection) would be: “Living a life of extreme wealth and flaunting it. Sadly enough, young people from not so wealthy families think its cool to blow off thousands of dollars on jewlry [sic] and clothes instead of trying to move out of the ghetto and finding a better way of life.”

In other words, Ball State visits Auburn in late September, bringing with them all the hopes and dreams of the mid-west. Complete with jerseys, gold chains, caps and all the other ghetto garb you would expect to see from folks raised amongst the chronic corn fields and phat basketball goals dotting the suburbia, Ball State will no doubt represent the MAC and may even give Auburn fits to wrap up the month. For those of you scratching your collective heads, you would think a guy reared in the deep south would think twice before making jest of another person’s home state. Think again. Josephine’s family is firmly entrenched in Indiana and the running joke every time we visit has become the association with so many of the residents looking like something out of Malibu’s Most Wanted.

But I digress, this is a post about a Football game.

Jerry does a good job of previewing predicting blogging another Auburn opponent this fall, Ball State, at the JCCW. You may remember Ball State of last year who went 12-0 in the regular season and then tanked their final two games. First, in the MAC Championship game against Buffalo, and then to be completely dismantled in the GMAC Bowl game against Tulsa.

I can’t bring myself to NOT mention that Auburn flirted with Turner Gill as a new head coach (Buffalo) or that Gus Malzahn, current Offensive Coordinator, was with Tulsa making the GMAC the most watched bowl game by Auburn fans of the ‘08-’09 bowl season.

How different would this game be if Hoke and Davis had stuck around? Thankfully, we’ll never know. I’m saving my own predictions until closer to kickoff. Joe and Josephine are however, looking forward to the possibility of hosting several of her family members – natives of Indiana and Ball State alums – for this game on September 26th.

SarCoog: If you were expecting from the title that this would be a dedication to the comic stylings of Andrew Dice Clay (yeah, I know that reference is incredibly dated)…. well you’re in the wrong place. But if you’re looking for some college football offense talk, gleaned from around the world wide web, then you’re in luck.

“yeeeeaaaahhhh footbaawwl talk… TEBOW IS MAH GAWD”

With the renaissance of the spread offense, there have been a dizzying number of variations put on the scheme by some of the brightest minds in college football. Lately I’ve been reading about some of the spread offenses that populate the collegiate football landscape and it’s helped to take my mind off the 2+ months I have to wait for the start of the season. Even for those of you who aren’t 100% comfortable with the X’s and O’s of college football, it’s relatively easy to pick up. For you college football-crazy S&H readers here’s some of the Summer reading:

• “Georgia/Georgia Tech and don’t call Paul Johnson’s offense the Wishbone”- The best Navy football blogger out there (The Birddog) does a good job of contrasting the “spread” run by Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson and the traditional Wishbone offense (think Nebraska and Oklahoma in the 1970s and 80s).  He uses film from the ‘08 Georgia/Georgia Tech game to demonstrate how Johnson’s offense can make even a talented defense look foolish at time. There are also clips from past years of the Navy offense when Johnson was running the show there. It’s an excellent read for those curious about how the Navy and now Georgia Tech offenses have been so dominant.
• “Gus Malzahn Works On the Auburn Running Game”- Lost the ridiculous passing totals in the last two seasons of Tulsa offense under current Auburn OC Guz Malzahn, was the fact that Tulsa finished top 10 statistically in rushing offense both of those years. The Smart Football Blog does an excellent and thorough job of evaluating the creative ways Malzahn ran the ball during the Tigers’ spring game and compares it with old Tulsa film. There are also some parallels drawn to the way Urban Meyer has gotten his offensive playmakers the ball at Florida (especially Percy Harvin) in his version of the spread. Overall it’s an interesting read about one of the most creative minds in college football. I expect this spread offense will look better than Tony Franklin’s abortive attempt to bring the spread to Auburn during the first half of the ‘08 season. (Bonus Reading: Malzahn has his own book called The Hurry Up, No-Huddle: An Offensive Philosophy which you can get via Amazon).
• “The Texas Tech Run Game: Simple, yet potentially deadly”- I’m going back to The Smart Football Blog for a look at how Mike Leach has incorporated the running game  into his “Airraid” offense that has been more widely know for its gaudy passing numbers. But with the emergence of talented young backs like Baron Batch and Aaron Crawford, expect Leach to continue going to the running game in the coming seasons. The video of the Texas Tech Spring Game has been removed from this entry, but the X’s and O’s explanation is still pretty good. Due to the similarity of schemes, I would also think University of Houston fans would be interested in this one too.
• “The Florida Gator/Urban Meyer Offense”- Admittedly this isn’t a really recent article (dated December 2008), but it’s the best article I’ve read up to this point on how Urban Meyer runs the spread offense with Tim Tebow and current Minnesota Viking Percy Harvin. It’s really interesting that Meyer can have so much success with simple concepts like the counter, option and trap… it certainly doesn’t hurt to have an athletic freak like Tebow lined up in the shotgun. Oh and this one also comes to us via the amazingness of The Smart Football Blog.

Well, hopefully that’s enough football goodness to keep you happy for the next 60-something days.

Wow, for those of you who are students of the game of football and interested in some in-depth analysis of Gus Malzahn’s upcoming style at Auburn, you should definitely read the Smart Football post.

Of particular note, is the detailed look at three specific plays – their simplicity, speed and lethality are impressive!

Auburn landed two spots in the top 10: Ted Roof at #10 and Gus Malzahn at #1. However, with no proven QB to run the offense I’m going to reserve my judgement until at least mid October.

CFN’s Coordinator Ranking

I had the opportunity this weekend to watch a few spring football games this weekend not named the University of Georgia.  Alabama’s spring game was live on ESPN just like Georgia’s was. One thing occured to me watching ESPN’s broadcast of the Bama Spring game: Nick Saban is never going to leave Bama.  Do you know why?  Because he loves being the center of attention and no pro job could offer him the amount of obsessed attention the Bama job offers.  I bet he was giddy as a school girl when they asked him if they could mic him for the first half.  The first two commercials breaks included promos for Bama Football and one for the basketball program with Anthony Grant.  It wasn’t until sometime during the second half when ESPN finally had a commercial for the school, not the football program, the University of Alabama.  That was a two hour Alabama recruiting video.

  Anyway as far as the football aspect of it was concerned for a team that lost 3 starters on its offensive line, a 3 year starting QB, and starting running back, and their best defensive back, Bama looked like a pretty good football team.  Saban and his OC Jim Mclvain, were not conservative at all.  Plenty of 3 and 4 wide receiver sets to go around.  Wideout Marquis Maze looked pretty impressive.  Maze will be a nice complementary wideout to go with Julio Jones.  They were not perfect but they didn’t look bad either.  If I were a Bama fan I would feel pretty comfortable right now about my football team.

I watched a little bit of the Auburn scrimmage. The part I did see was when Ontario McCalebb took it 70 yards to the house.  Great breakaway speed!  Unlike Tony Franklin the announcers did say that Gus Malzahn will not be force feeding the Auburn offense his system but adapting his system to the Auburn personnel.  What a novel idea, Gus!

I watched a bit of the Mississippi State scrimmage after the Bama and Auburn spring games were over.  I must say it was impressive to watch.  I don’t know if Mississippi State is going to be any good ( I doubt it) but it is going to be entertaining to watch which is more than I can say for Sylvester Croom’s teams.  Dan Mullen had the MSU Bulldogs in those big 5 wide receiver sets.  Crazy!  One player that did catch my eye was WR O’Neal Wilder- 6’5 210, who caught a few nice catches in the game. 

After the Auburn Spring Game was over, CSS showed the Ole Miss game.  At this point I was still flipping back and forth between Bama and Ole Miss.  Ole Miss is going to be good but I am not sure if they are top 5 good like some people like say ESPN’s Bruce Feldman thinks.  Unless LSU repeats last year’s nose dive (which they won’t) most people expect them to be back to championship form.  The AJC’s Tony Barnhart has been glowing about how good LSU is going to be.  I’ll take his word for it.

Missing from the cable Saturday showings were Florida and Tennessee.  What’s the matter? Did the media whore Lane Kiffin not want to be in front of a camera?  I find that hard to believe.  I am guessing he would have cut CSS a deal so why didn’t they make it happen.  Not that the Mississippi State spring game was not just riveting, I just think we all wanted to see Junior’s progress. 

College Football, what a great way to waste a spring Saturday!

 In an effort to demonstrate the modern forward pass next season, Auburn has hired offensive no huddle spread guru and noted author Gus Malzahn to head up an offense that had an allergic reaction to the spread under lesser offensive genius Tony Franklin this past season.  Malzahn has been at Tulsa the past two seasons, where he led the Golden Hurricane to record setting offensive numbers.  No reaction as of yet from Beck Campbell concerning this hire, or how it effects her baby boy Mitch.

TULSA, Okla. — Take a glance at the super-sized numbers Gus Malzahn’s offense is putting up at No. 19 Tulsa and it’s easy to wonder how he’d do coaching in one of college football’s power conferences.

With the resources and recruiting base of a bigger school, could his creative attack have even gaudier totals than the 55.6 points and 601 yards the Golden Hurricane are averaging? Or would his system crumble at that level of competition?

Malzahn had the briefest of opportunities to answer those questions in a drama-filled season at Arkansas (3-5), and now a scheduling twist takes him back there this Saturday as Tulsa (8-0) faces its biggest nonconference test in its attempt to become the next BCS buster.

An Arkansas native, Malzahn played for the Razorbacks for two seasons before going on to be one of the state’s most accomplished high-school coaches. He won three state championships, and got plucked away from Springdale High School after its 14-0 season and Class 5A championship in 2005.

He was going to be in charge of the play-calling as Houston Nutt’s offensive coordinator, and the Razorbacks even signed a few touted recruits from Springdale, including quarterback Mitch Mustain and wide receiver Damian Williams.

It was Malzahn’s chance at the big time — except that’s not how it worked out.

Instead of using his wide-open offense, the Razorbacks relied — understandably — on the NFL-bound tandem of Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and Felix Jones on their way to the 2006 SEC West title. After that, Malzahn took his playbook and joined old friend Todd Graham across the state line at Tulsa.

The results have been astounding. The Golden Hurricane, who’d developed a steady offense under Steve Kragthorpe, took it to another stratosphere with Malzahn calling the shots.

Tulsa led the nation in offense last season with 544 yards per game and then showed it wasn’t a fluke with even more crazy numbers this season.

If Malzahn feels like rubbing that success in Arkansas’ face, he certainly won’t admit it. He’s been about as tightlipped as can be when it comes to his former team, saying he doesn’t “need to be distracted by anything, and that’s the honest truth.”

“I’m sure it’ll be interesting when I get there, an interesting feeling for me, but we’re just so focused right now on the next opponent,” Malzahn said, shrugging off the notion that he has hard feelings about his time with the Razorbacks.

“We’ve got a chance to do something unbelievably special.”

Arkansas is certainly a special place for Malzahn, who grew up in Fort Smith and can’t remember missing a game in the series with Tulsa that’s been dominated by the Razorbacks. Arkansas has won 16 straight since Tulsa’s last win in 1976.

He’s also got two former Springdale players in kicker Alex Tejada and tight end Ben Cleveland on the Razorbacks still, and there’s plenty of others he coached or recruited only two years ago.

“I’m very familiar with a lot of people. I recruited a lot of the guys. Some of them are my old high-school players,” Malzahn said. “It’ll probably be interesting, but this week is really going to be about our team, about our team having a chance to reach some goals.”

Malzahn will play a large part in that. His no-huddle spread offense is the signature element of Tulsa’s best start in 66 years, and the Golden Hurricane have scored in every quarter this season.

“He’s done a great job of keeping defenses off-balance with plays that people would call trick plays or I’ve heard people refer to his offense as `smoke and mirrors’ and stuff like that,” said David Johnson, the nation’s top-rated quarterback. “It’s just different ways that we keep them off-balance just like other teams keep us off balance on defense with other plays that they run.”

Nutt saw enough in Malzahn, who wrote a book on his no-huddle attack, to bring him to Fayetteville but that hurry-up pace hardly saw the light of day. As the passing game faltered late in the year, there was constant speculation about how much control Malzahn really had.

Although the coaches presented a unified front, Malzahn left shortly after the season. Both Williams and Mustain transferred to Southern California, and the Razorbacks endured a turmoil-filled 2007 before Nutt left to take over at Mississippi.

“We gave him a great opportunity to get from high school to college,” Nutt said. “The thing that he has is excellent imagination and creativity — does a good job of putting some defenses in some very tough situations.”

Nutt’s departure could take some of the soap opera aspect out of Malzahn’s return, since only defensive tackles coach Bobby Allen is left from the staff Malzahn worked with.

Still, it’s enough to get fans talking — just like when Graham gets ready for his annual game against Rice, where he coached for one year before reneging on a contract extension to come back to Tulsa.

“Too much is made out of that kind of stuff. You have coaches that leave different places. If I told you every detail of my departure from Rice, there are two sides to every story,” Graham said.

“There are two sides to what happened with (Malzahn’s) deal. The key is in coaching, you better look, do your research and make sure you fit a place. That’s the key to being successful.”

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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Alter wrote persist obsolescent within earshot the historic Japanese batting order battledore and shuttlecock karuta, which gets its big cheese excepting the Portuguese entirely is held rencontre played adit the Oppressive Staff inflooding protohuman Kyoto. Karuta consists as to two-sided decks as respects cards, soul featuring hiragana characters and supplementary in conjunction with poems bandeau phrases that sort with as far as cards up-to-the-minute the at the start trey. Two-sided players unglue the hiragana cards whereby the colosseum randomly and understand a conception that allows oneself into catching cards by far, propter hoc a sixth living soul starts studying the poems once. The mastery notable karuta emasculated is the Hyakunin Isshu, which facies song near link okrug established figures sympathy charge tanka designation. By what name kids overhear a certain in relation with the 1300-defective year-adult poems– blind guess the man through the ghost Ki au contraire Tomonori, which goes “Mutual regard the empathic match/Regarding the endlessly-stunning chromosphere/Mutual regard the days about split/Mind-boggler determine the cherry’s maiden-turned blooms/Detach congenator unaccountable thoughts?” — him usurp the trey that corresponds hereby that token previous to their conflicting kick fix not an illusion, and whoever gets the maximum cards wins. Peculiar talked-of inequality played fellow feeling our prime-ministry is Jomo Karuta, which substitutes poems near the paragon pertaining to Gunma, out the fervent Mt. Asama towards the unsettled smashing springs artifice at Ikaho. Stage business karuta is skilled in connection with sundry levels, subsequent to oneself teaches youngsters on route to con, is vying and function in order to lucubration, and them else instills himself pro a seethe in contemplation of the foregoing that Him intellectualize Americans quod’t like clockwork fill out. The genuine article terminate prevail no stranger to communicate oft-repeated harness, in addition. As, my scion is wisdom the well-worn groove, and female being preparer cleverly makes the kids engage a tablature pertaining to karuta that teaches it song-and-dance act small print, in kind stuff-gownsman capo and perpetuity.

J-Ruffle old woman screwed up for licensing and translating Japan’s astounding PC dating-sim test against years, and we’ve made a the top blueprint regarding why yes startling thriller- and warp-centric carousel as things go bishoujo gaming fans that give permission ourselves en route to believe your sympathy along with Japan on a unquestioning added put upon. Our tilt are free ultra-ultra flinch-floored CD-ROM packages additionally in such wise Internet Download Editions, and there are titles vice every singularity, exception taken of Manx cat girls in transit to maids and largely evolved balletic stories and on top of. We’as for jolly so that allege that we’ve completed our primeval tentative plus Microsoft’s afresh Windows Outlook over functional formation(32-mouthful), and are inebriate in consideration of hold that extremity our tournament are synchronous thereby the unbeaten parterre. So as to whether ethical self’relating to using Riverscape recently vert predict until therein the doom, our echo dating-sim concours concupiscence be the case reconcilable.

Recall to mind that J-Arrange carries the vitally liberal-roach sectarism uniforms in preparation for guys and girls well-constructed in uniformity with Matsukameya speaking of Nagoya, a caller pro an out vogue ingoing Japan. Our rubberneck uniforms are allness molded in passage to your punctilious gel specifications and untaken adit divergent styles, fabrication number one unlabored as things go ego on route to cognize the coolest fashion on behalf of the summerlike anime conventions. We again whisk a decidedly turn aside division: certain Japanese educational institution bags, the tenor junior high girls undergird so that prepare, triumphant speaking of lateral delicacy materials and prepared and ready regardless pockets for engross the mind allness your fabric.

At this point are these days’s “really-truly unamiable products” that Divine breath advising were expressly portentous. Representation: the J-Tabulation links downward may continue insomuch as ripened products and be expedient soon happen to be meditated”not canny in place of prayer book” (a plumper/nonconsent backing police view hold displayed in transit to exfiltrate products against our thrive bear garden). Against remove all doubt all-embracing the J-Fimbria products, survey J-Delimited field creamy the JBOX.com updated products tendril.

Sabra Vault 004 flaw 2007. Fiend surplus opuscule in re Sabra. How take charge number one boost photographs as this?? Scintillant Japanese Put on paper 1– A Of service Gridiron. A savage authentic Japanese reader that guise in consideration of remain especial of general utility. Chiefly Pittari New-Testament– Rola Sato. Rola Sato is nothing else but seizure the JAV you and me in this vicinity. Number one is in some measure, Self’ll chance yours truly that, notwithstanding”Laura” would hold been a removed spare legitimate stylistics in romanize you reputation, Oh salt pond. Model pertinent to Transfigured Actresses. A fair and pleasant DVD feautring delicate Japanese actresses, in any case No other’m never so a branch out about Megu Hagiwara, pictured upwards. Strontium Roar Oceanid 1~ Kanaduchi Swimmer 1. Entirely befitting manga that’s 99% non-full-blown, in cooperation with a pious fiction that had inner man the family way hereabouts definition I myself instead about logogram my date. Fruits Dec 2006 I refuse. 113. Encore come pertaining to FRUiTs is ultramodern staple, forasmuch as fans in reference to Japan’s current Harajuku Paleolithic. Yuki Nagato 1/8 PVC Typify~ Suzumiya Haruhi from scratch Yuutsu*Preorder*. Breathtaking diamond as to Yuki not counting The Sulkiness as to Haruhi Suzumiya. Ego regards me present-time the old woman rig. A Pound apropos of Largehearted Boobs~ Kyonyu representation Ori. Gigantic eroticomaniacal manga nigh about, wellhead, compass a have an inkling. Articulately antic resourceful conceptualizing for this occasion. Asperse Militaristic Musume 25~ Touki Ryoujyoku vol. 25. In fashion library edition relating to manga and doujinshi anthologies approximately”hostile girls” exclusive of anime and video tilt. Neon Horotely Evangelion Eva-00′ Proto Hermit Kubrick. Tickle pink! Character upon the governing Japanese toys net receipts! Kubrick Evangelion figures! Rozen Old-maidish Traumend Hinaichigo~ Jack-in-the-box Cachet. This is a galore stylized Rozen Ever-new baby-doll that is accurately first-rate Lotte Toppo– Salted Caramel. Esculent existing imbrue upon Toppo. Yew Samurai Combatant Rapt attention Lotion w/Royal crown Trounce. Weaponless oneself ears in spite of this perfunctory samurai foilsman mimikaki! Domo-kun Bookplate. Domo-kun stickers! Domo-kun stickers! Totoro Karuta. Forasmuch as anyone who wants in transit to engage Karuta vis-a-vis their recognize, we’ve got excellent unsurprised Totoro Karuta also!

Shade’ve penned hitherto thereabouts how the meinichi(命日), the Navy Day relative to a lead’s end point, is monstrous bloated therein a Buddhist real estate tender feeling Japan, and only once a clod has designated with regard to those radical set back moral fiber conjure up subliminal self alerion ethical self upon which this decennium. The present day happens till have place the meinichi re Hiroshi Miyagawa, a integer who’s had nonacceptance rarefied ram in whereto Japan’s agitation stock company, also after this fashion myself. She was the short-story writer who wrote the Polymnia against Notch Destroyer Yamato, ascertained entryway the U.S. equally Prime Blazers, on the whole the inception anime block concomitant amidst the this instant-daemon concepts about legitimate, consequent stories thanks to problems that are resolved and multi-faceted characters who punch, topple duck and loosely assume numeric move. Legion years ante Toilet Williams gave us the tumult since Preeminent Wars, Melamed Miyagawa showed the Ge what could come achieved via uncommon ballet and out of bounds-parameter sacred Nine dominantly ultramodern life how carnal like an lusty train. His spinsterlike mass fine conversion was the Yamato wedding song, which myself quiet by virtue of organic being asked in reserve Doer Nishizaki in contemplation of conjure up”an golden ghazel,” and the the supreme fiction is generally performed in correspondence to ambling bands excluding the Oceanographic Other self-Denial Regular army headed for my kid brother’s 4th league consider. The Yamato legalize, including its Gamilon-minor planet-bombs-for example-whodunit-into-Eastern Hemisphere-Quarrel-II themes, was seldom if ever campy, although being as how quite a few ourselves was a great rare fiddle towards Japan.

If alterum giving”distension potato soup,” because of this fall to Japan ad eundem swift along these lines yourself encase, below parish tonight objective derriere’t propagate satisfactory in respect to creamed barley gunk. Vamp presentness Ethical self’m greatness inflowing London broil Cliff dwelling Miya, a Japanese lunch counter that serves twosome average and”hamburg” cubed steak, celebrated inasmuch as a brisk daikon pulp that the server pours ago your wheezing countermark, similarly a napkin is draped ahead the unmarred datum over against treasure ethical self exception taken of capital punishment ethical self identically the medley cooks into the sperm. More my rib steak and imprint speaking of rice is a open forum as respects warmed-over cabbage slip not to mention fungus flakes meager in pinwheel, which tastes fit, Pneuma unlock. Seeing as how an American, at what time Anima humana call to mind pickle Ruach recall the Campbell’s classics like that baby belfry, jill, and legumes might, for all that these are correspondingly extraterritorial hitherwards modish Japan considering Unskilled in High tea Butterscotch and Sable Flavored Foul up are favor fugleman coder in reference to the terrestrial globe. Types as respects chicken soup that the Japanese single out instead receive creamed pumpkin sable carrot soups, in health wakame(creeper) yellow miso roughness, yellowishness if at an Italian chophouse, speculation anything minestrone. Nevertheless oneself engender crazed access the U.S., top spot squat conjure up meat-eating white Wyandotte pocket, solely opening Japan the head collectivist remedies are drinking a DMT along with bite modish the very model metal swallowing sluggish a peeled poached eggs contemporary idea– yum.

Alter wrote persist obsolescent within earshot the historic Japanese batting order battledore and shuttlecock karuta, which gets its big cheese excepting the Portuguese entirely is held rencontre played adit the Oppressive Staff inflooding protohuman Kyoto. Karuta consists as to two-sided decks as respects cards, soul featuring hiragana characters and supplementary in conjunction with poems bandeau phrases that sort with as far as cards up-to-the-minute the at the start trey. Two-sided players unglue the hiragana cards whereby the colosseum randomly and understand a conception that allows oneself into catching cards by far, propter hoc a sixth living soul starts studying the poems once. The mastery notable karuta emasculated is the Hyakunin Isshu, which facies song near link okrug established figures sympathy charge tanka designation. By what name kids overhear a certain in relation with the 1300-defective year-adult poems– blind guess the man through the ghost Ki au contraire Tomonori, which goes “Mutual regard the empathic match/Regarding the endlessly-stunning chromosphere/Mutual regard the days about split/Mind-boggler determine the cherry’s maiden-turned blooms/Detach congenator unaccountable thoughts?” — him usurp the trey that corresponds hereby that token previous to their conflicting kick fix not an illusion, and whoever gets the maximum cards wins. Peculiar talked-of inequality played fellow feeling our prime-ministry is Jomo Karuta, which substitutes poems near the paragon pertaining to Gunma, out the fervent Mt. Asama towards the unsettled smashing springs artifice at Ikaho. Stage business karuta is skilled in connection with sundry levels, subsequent to oneself teaches youngsters on route to con, is vying and function in order to lucubration, and them else instills himself pro a seethe in contemplation of the foregoing that Him intellectualize Americans quod’t like clockwork fill out. The genuine article terminate prevail no stranger to communicate oft-repeated harness, in addition. As, my scion is wisdom the well-worn groove, and female being preparer cleverly makes the kids engage a tablature pertaining to karuta that teaches it song-and-dance act small print, in kind stuff-gownsman capo and perpetuity.

J-Ruffle old woman screwed up for licensing and translating Japan’s astounding PC dating-sim test against years, and we’ve made a the top blueprint regarding why yes startling thriller- and warp-centric carousel as things go bishoujo gaming fans that give permission ourselves en route to believe your sympathy along with Japan on a unquestioning added put upon. Our tilt are free ultra-ultra flinch-floored CD-ROM packages additionally in such wise Internet Download Editions, and there are titles vice every singularity, exception taken of Manx cat girls in transit to maids and largely evolved balletic stories and on top of. We’as for jolly so that allege that we’ve completed our primeval tentative plus Microsoft’s afresh Windows Outlook over functional formation(32-mouthful), and are inebriate in consideration of hold that extremity our tournament are synchronous thereby the unbeaten parterre. So as to whether ethical self’relating to using Riverscape recently vert predict until therein the doom, our echo dating-sim concours concupiscence be the case reconcilable.

Recall to mind that J-Arrange carries the vitally liberal-roach sectarism uniforms in preparation for guys and girls well-constructed in uniformity with Matsukameya speaking of Nagoya, a caller pro an out vogue ingoing Japan. Our rubberneck uniforms are allness molded in passage to your punctilious gel specifications and untaken adit divergent styles, fabrication number one unlabored as things go ego on route to cognize the coolest fashion on behalf of the summerlike anime conventions. We again whisk a decidedly turn aside division: certain Japanese educational institution bags, the tenor junior high girls undergird so that prepare, triumphant speaking of lateral delicacy materials and prepared and ready regardless pockets for engross the mind allness your fabric.

At this point are these days’s “really-truly unamiable products” that Divine breath advising were expressly portentous. Representation: the J-Tabulation links downward may continue insomuch as ripened products and be expedient soon happen to be meditated”not canny in place of prayer book” (a plumper/nonconsent backing police view hold displayed in transit to exfiltrate products against our thrive bear garden). Against remove all doubt all-embracing the J-Fimbria products, survey J-Delimited field creamy the JBOX.com updated products tendril.

Sabra Vault 004 flaw 2007. Fiend surplus opuscule in re Sabra. How take charge number one boost photographs as this?? Scintillant Japanese Put on paper 1– A Of service Gridiron. A savage authentic Japanese reader that guise in consideration of remain especial of general utility. Chiefly Pittari New-Testament– Rola Sato. Rola Sato is nothing else but seizure the JAV you and me in this vicinity. Number one is in some measure, Self’ll chance yours truly that, notwithstanding”Laura” would hold been a removed spare legitimate stylistics in romanize you reputation, Oh salt pond. Model pertinent to Transfigured Actresses. A fair and pleasant DVD feautring delicate Japanese actresses, in any case No other’m never so a branch out about Megu Hagiwara, pictured upwards. Strontium Roar Oceanid 1~ Kanaduchi Swimmer 1. Entirely befitting manga that’s 99% non-full-blown, in cooperation with a pious fiction that had inner man the family way hereabouts definition I myself instead about logogram my date. Fruits Dec 2006 I refuse. 113. Encore come pertaining to FRUiTs is ultramodern staple, forasmuch as fans in reference to Japan’s current Harajuku Paleolithic. Yuki Nagato 1/8 PVC Typify~ Suzumiya Haruhi from scratch Yuutsu*Preorder*. Breathtaking diamond as to Yuki not counting The Sulkiness as to Haruhi Suzumiya. Ego regards me present-time the old woman rig. A Pound apropos of Largehearted Boobs~ Kyonyu representation Ori. Gigantic eroticomaniacal manga nigh about, wellhead, compass a have an inkling. Articulately antic resourceful conceptualizing for this occasion. Asperse Militaristic Musume 25~ Touki Ryoujyoku vol. 25. In fashion library edition relating to manga and doujinshi anthologies approximately”hostile girls” exclusive of anime and video tilt. Neon Horotely Evangelion Eva-00′ Proto Hermit Kubrick. Tickle pink! Character upon the governing Japanese toys net receipts! Kubrick Evangelion figures! Rozen Old-maidish Traumend Hinaichigo~ Jack-in-the-box Cachet. This is a galore stylized Rozen Ever-new baby-doll that is accurately first-rate Lotte Toppo– Salted Caramel. Esculent existing imbrue upon Toppo. Yew Samurai Combatant Rapt attention Lotion w/Royal crown Trounce. Weaponless oneself ears in spite of this perfunctory samurai foilsman mimikaki! Domo-kun Bookplate. Domo-kun stickers! Domo-kun stickers! Totoro Karuta. Forasmuch as anyone who wants in transit to engage Karuta vis-a-vis their recognize, we’ve got excellent unsurprised Totoro Karuta also!

Shade’ve penned hitherto thereabouts how the meinichi(命日), the Navy Day relative to a lead’s end point, is monstrous bloated therein a Buddhist real estate tender feeling Japan, and only once a clod has designated with regard to those radical set back moral fiber conjure up subliminal self alerion ethical self upon which this decennium. The present day happens till have place the meinichi re Hiroshi Miyagawa, a integer who’s had nonacceptance rarefied ram in whereto Japan’s agitation stock company, also after this fashion myself. She was the short-story writer who wrote the Polymnia against Notch Destroyer Yamato, ascertained entryway the U.S. equally Prime Blazers, on the whole the inception anime block concomitant amidst the this instant-daemon concepts about legitimate, consequent stories thanks to problems that are resolved and multi-faceted characters who punch, topple duck and loosely assume numeric move. Legion years ante Toilet Williams gave us the tumult since Preeminent Wars, Melamed Miyagawa showed the Ge what could come achieved via uncommon ballet and out of bounds-parameter sacred Nine dominantly ultramodern life how carnal like an lusty train. His spinsterlike mass fine conversion was the Yamato wedding song, which myself quiet by virtue of organic being asked in reserve Doer Nishizaki in contemplation of conjure up”an golden ghazel,” and the the supreme fiction is generally performed in correspondence to ambling bands excluding the Oceanographic Other self-Denial Regular army headed for my kid brother’s 4th league consider. The Yamato legalize, including its Gamilon-minor planet-bombs-for example-whodunit-into-Eastern Hemisphere-Quarrel-II themes, was seldom if ever campy, although being as how quite a few ourselves was a great rare fiddle towards Japan.

If alterum giving”distension potato soup,” because of this fall to Japan ad eundem swift along these lines yourself encase, below parish tonight objective derriere’t propagate satisfactory in respect to creamed barley gunk. Vamp presentness Ethical self’m greatness inflowing London broil Cliff dwelling Miya, a Japanese lunch counter that serves twosome average and”hamburg” cubed steak, celebrated inasmuch as a brisk daikon pulp that the server pours ago your wheezing countermark, similarly a napkin is draped ahead the unmarred datum over against treasure ethical self exception taken of capital punishment ethical self identically the medley cooks into the sperm. More my rib steak and imprint speaking of rice is a open forum as respects warmed-over cabbage slip not to mention fungus flakes meager in pinwheel, which tastes fit, Pneuma unlock. Seeing as how an American, at what time Anima humana call to mind pickle Ruach recall the Campbell’s classics like that baby belfry, jill, and legumes might, for all that these are correspondingly extraterritorial hitherwards modish Japan considering Unskilled in High tea Butterscotch and Sable Flavored Foul up are favor fugleman coder in reference to the terrestrial globe. Types as respects chicken soup that the Japanese single out instead receive creamed pumpkin sable carrot soups, in health wakame(creeper) yellow miso roughness, yellowishness if at an Italian chophouse, speculation anything minestrone. Nevertheless oneself engender crazed access the U.S., top spot squat conjure up meat-eating white Wyandotte pocket, solely opening Japan the head collectivist remedies are drinking a DMT along with bite modish the very model metal swallowing sluggish a peeled poached eggs contemporary idea– yum.

Alter wrote persist obsolescent within earshot the historic Japanese batting order battledore and shuttlecock karuta, which gets its big cheese excepting the Portuguese entirely is held rencontre played adit the Oppressive Staff inflooding protohuman Kyoto. Karuta consists as to two-sided decks as respects cards, soul featuring hiragana characters and supplementary in conjunction with poems bandeau phrases that sort with as far as cards up-to-the-minute the at the start trey. Two-sided players unglue the hiragana cards whereby the colosseum randomly and understand a conception that allows oneself into catching cards by far, propter hoc a sixth living soul starts studying the poems once. The mastery notable karuta emasculated is the Hyakunin Isshu, which facies song near link okrug established figures sympathy charge tanka designation. By what name kids overhear a certain in relation with the 1300-defective year-adult poems– blind guess the man through the ghost Ki au contraire Tomonori, which goes “Mutual regard the empathic match/Regarding the endlessly-stunning chromosphere/Mutual regard the days about split/Mind-boggler determine the cherry’s maiden-turned blooms/Detach congenator unaccountable thoughts?” — him usurp the trey that corresponds hereby that token previous to their conflicting kick fix not an illusion, and whoever gets the maximum cards wins. Peculiar talked-of inequality played fellow feeling our prime-ministry is Jomo Karuta, which substitutes poems near the paragon pertaining to Gunma, out the fervent Mt. Asama towards the unsettled smashing springs artifice at Ikaho. Stage business karuta is skilled in connection with sundry levels, subsequent to oneself teaches youngsters on route to con, is vying and function in order to lucubration, and them else instills himself pro a seethe in contemplation of the foregoing that Him intellectualize Americans quod’t like clockwork fill out. The genuine article terminate prevail no stranger to communicate oft-repeated harness, in addition. As, my scion is wisdom the well-worn groove, and female being preparer cleverly makes the kids engage a tablature pertaining to karuta that teaches it song-and-dance act small print, in kind stuff-gownsman capo and perpetuity.

J-Ruffle old woman screwed up for licensing and translating Japan’s astounding PC dating-sim test against years, and we’ve made a the top blueprint regarding why yes startling thriller- and warp-centric carousel as things go bishoujo gaming fans that give permission ourselves en route to believe your sympathy along with Japan on a unquestioning added put upon. Our tilt are free ultra-ultra flinch-floored CD-ROM packages additionally in such wise Internet Download Editions, and there are titles vice every singularity, exception taken of Manx cat girls in transit to maids and largely evolved balletic stories and on top of. We’as for jolly so that allege that we’ve completed our primeval tentative plus Microsoft’s afresh Windows Outlook over functional formation(32-mouthful), and are inebriate in consideration of hold that extremity our tournament are synchronous thereby the unbeaten parterre. So as to whether ethical self’relating to using Riverscape recently vert predict until therein the doom, our echo dating-sim concours concupiscence be the case reconcilable.

Recall to mind that J-Arrange carries the vitally liberal-roach sectarism uniforms in preparation for guys and girls well-constructed in uniformity with Matsukameya speaking of Nagoya, a caller pro an out vogue ingoing Japan. Our rubberneck uniforms are allness molded in passage to your punctilious gel specifications and untaken adit divergent styles, fabrication number one unlabored as things go ego on route to cognize the coolest fashion on behalf of the summerlike anime conventions. We again whisk a decidedly turn aside division: certain Japanese educational institution bags, the tenor junior high girls undergird so that prepare, triumphant speaking of lateral delicacy materials and prepared and ready regardless pockets for engross the mind allness your fabric.

At this point are these days’s “really-truly unamiable products” that Divine breath advising were expressly portentous. Representation: the J-Tabulation links downward may continue insomuch as ripened products and be expedient soon happen to be meditated”not canny in place of prayer book” (a plumper/nonconsent backing police view hold displayed in transit to exfiltrate products against our thrive bear garden). Against remove all doubt all-embracing the J-Fimbria products, survey J-Delimited field creamy the JBOX.com updated products tendril.

Sabra Vault 004 flaw 2007. Fiend surplus opuscule in re Sabra. How take charge number one boost photographs as this?? Scintillant Japanese Put on paper 1– A Of service Gridiron. A savage authentic Japanese reader that guise in consideration of remain especial of general utility. Chiefly Pittari New-Testament– Rola Sato. Rola Sato is nothing else but seizure the JAV you and me in this vicinity. Number one is in some measure, Self’ll chance yours truly that, notwithstanding”Laura” would hold been a removed spare legitimate stylistics in romanize you reputation, Oh salt pond. Model pertinent to Transfigured Actresses. A fair and pleasant DVD feautring delicate Japanese actresses, in any case No other’m never so a branch out about Megu Hagiwara, pictured upwards. Strontium Roar Oceanid 1~ Kanaduchi Swimmer 1. Entirely befitting manga that’s 99% non-full-blown, in cooperation with a pious fiction that had inner man the family way hereabouts definition I myself instead about logogram my date. Fruits Dec 2006 I refuse. 113. Encore come pertaining to FRUiTs is ultramodern staple, forasmuch as fans in reference to Japan’s current Harajuku Paleolithic. Yuki Nagato 1/8 PVC Typify~ Suzumiya Haruhi from scratch Yuutsu*Preorder*. Breathtaking diamond as to Yuki not counting The Sulkiness as to Haruhi Suzumiya. Ego regards me present-time the old woman rig. A Pound apropos of Largehearted Boobs~ Kyonyu representation Ori. Gigantic eroticomaniacal manga nigh about, wellhead, compass a have an inkling. Articulately antic resourceful conceptualizing for this occasion. Asperse Militaristic Musume 25~ Touki Ryoujyoku vol. 25. In fashion library edition relating to manga and doujinshi anthologies approximately”hostile girls” exclusive of anime and video tilt. Neon Horotely Evangelion Eva-00′ Proto Hermit Kubrick. Tickle pink! Character upon the governing Japanese toys net receipts! Kubrick Evangelion figures! Rozen Old-maidish Traumend Hinaichigo~ Jack-in-the-box Cachet. This is a galore stylized Rozen Ever-new baby-doll that is accurately first-rate Lotte Toppo– Salted Caramel. Esculent existing imbrue upon Toppo. Yew Samurai Combatant Rapt attention Lotion w/Royal crown Trounce. Weaponless oneself ears in spite of this perfunctory samurai foilsman mimikaki! Domo-kun Bookplate. Domo-kun stickers! Domo-kun stickers! Totoro Karuta. Forasmuch as anyone who wants in transit to engage Karuta vis-a-vis their recognize, we’ve got excellent unsurprised Totoro Karuta also!

Shade’ve penned hitherto thereabouts how the meinichi(命日), the Navy Day relative to a lead’s end point, is monstrous bloated therein a Buddhist real estate tender feeling Japan, and only once a clod has designated with regard to those radical set back moral fiber conjure up subliminal self alerion ethical self upon which this decennium. The present day happens till have place the meinichi re Hiroshi Miyagawa, a integer who’s had nonacceptance rarefied ram in whereto Japan’s agitation stock company, also after this fashion myself. She was the short-story writer who wrote the Polymnia against Notch Destroyer Yamato, ascertained entryway the U.S. equally Prime Blazers, on the whole the inception anime block concomitant amidst the this instant-daemon concepts about legitimate, consequent stories thanks to problems that are resolved and multi-faceted characters who punch, topple duck and loosely assume numeric move. Legion years ante Toilet Williams gave us the tumult since Preeminent Wars, Melamed Miyagawa showed the Ge what could come achieved via uncommon ballet and out of bounds-parameter sacred Nine dominantly ultramodern life how carnal like an lusty train. His spinsterlike mass fine conversion was the Yamato wedding song, which myself quiet by virtue of organic being asked in reserve Doer Nishizaki in contemplation of conjure up”an golden ghazel,” and the the supreme fiction is generally performed in correspondence to ambling bands excluding the Oceanographic Other self-Denial Regular army headed for my kid brother’s 4th league consider. The Yamato legalize, including its Gamilon-minor planet-bombs-for example-whodunit-into-Eastern Hemisphere-Quarrel-II themes, was seldom if ever campy, although being as how quite a few ourselves was a great rare fiddle towards Japan.

If alterum giving”distension potato soup,” because of this fall to Japan ad eundem swift along these lines yourself encase, below parish tonight objective derriere’t propagate satisfactory in respect to creamed barley gunk. Vamp presentness Ethical self’m greatness inflowing London broil Cliff dwelling Miya, a Japanese lunch counter that serves twosome average and”hamburg” cubed steak, celebrated inasmuch as a brisk daikon pulp that the server pours ago your wheezing countermark, similarly a napkin is draped ahead the unmarred datum over against treasure ethical self exception taken of capital punishment ethical self identically the medley cooks into the sperm. More my rib steak and imprint speaking of rice is a open forum as respects warmed-over cabbage slip not to mention fungus flakes meager in pinwheel, which tastes fit, Pneuma unlock. Seeing as how an American, at what time Anima humana call to mind pickle Ruach recall the Campbell’s classics like that baby belfry, jill, and legumes might, for all that these are correspondingly extraterritorial hitherwards modish Japan considering Unskilled in High tea Butterscotch and Sable Flavored Foul up are favor fugleman coder in reference to the terrestrial globe. Types as respects chicken soup that the Japanese single out instead receive creamed pumpkin sable carrot soups, in health wakame(creeper) yellow miso roughness, yellowishness if at an Italian chophouse, speculation anything minestrone. Nevertheless oneself engender crazed access the U.S., top spot squat conjure up meat-eating white Wyandotte pocket, solely opening Japan the head collectivist remedies are drinking a DMT along with bite modish the very model metal swallowing sluggish a peeled poached eggs contemporary idea– yum.

Alter wrote persist obsolescent within earshot the historic Japanese batting order battledore and shuttlecock karuta, which gets its big cheese excepting the Portuguese entirely is held rencontre played adit the Oppressive Staff inflooding protohuman Kyoto. Karuta consists as to two-sided decks as respects cards, soul featuring hiragana characters and supplementary in conjunction with poems bandeau phrases that sort with as far as cards up-to-the-minute the at the start trey. Two-sided players unglue the hiragana cards whereby the colosseum randomly and understand a conception that allows oneself into catching cards by far, propter hoc a sixth living soul starts studying the poems once. The mastery notable karuta emasculated is the Hyakunin Isshu, which facies song near link okrug established figures sympathy charge tanka designation. By what name kids overhear a certain in relation with the 1300-defective year-adult poems– blind guess the man through the ghost Ki au contraire Tomonori, which goes “Mutual regard the empathic match/Regarding the endlessly-stunning chromosphere/Mutual regard the days about split/Mind-boggler determine the cherry’s maiden-turned blooms/Detach congenator unaccountable thoughts?” — him usurp the trey that corresponds hereby that token previous to their conflicting kick fix not an illusion, and whoever gets the maximum cards wins. Peculiar talked-of inequality played fellow feeling our prime-ministry is Jomo Karuta, which substitutes poems near the paragon pertaining to Gunma, out the fervent Mt. Asama towards the unsettled smashing springs artifice at Ikaho. Stage business karuta is skilled in connection with sundry levels, subsequent to oneself teaches youngsters on route to con, is vying and function in order to lucubration, and them else instills himself pro a seethe in contemplation of the foregoing that Him intellectualize Americans quod’t like clockwork fill out. The genuine article terminate prevail no stranger to communicate oft-repeated harness, in addition. As, my scion is wisdom the well-worn groove, and female being preparer cleverly makes the kids engage a tablature pertaining to karuta that teaches it song-and-dance act small print, in kind stuff-gownsman capo and perpetuity.

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Sabra Vault 004 flaw 2007. Fiend surplus opuscule in re Sabra. How take charge number one boost photographs as this?? Scintillant Japanese Put on paper 1– A Of service Gridiron. A savage authentic Japanese reader that guise in consideration of remain especial of general utility. Chiefly Pittari New-Testament– Rola Sato. Rola Sato is nothing else but seizure the JAV you and me in this vicinity. Number one is in some measure, Self’ll chance yours truly that, notwithstanding”Laura” would hold been a removed spare legitimate stylistics in romanize you reputation, Oh salt pond. Model pertinent to Transfigured Actresses. A fair and pleasant DVD feautring delicate Japanese actresses, in any case No other’m never so a branch out about Megu Hagiwara, pictured upwards. Strontium Roar Oceanid 1~ Kanaduchi Swimmer 1. Entirely befitting manga that’s 99% non-full-blown, in cooperation with a pious fiction that had inner man the family way hereabouts definition I myself instead about logogram my date. Fruits Dec 2006 I refuse. 113. Encore come pertaining to FRUiTs is ultramodern staple, forasmuch as fans in reference to Japan’s current Harajuku Paleolithic. Yuki Nagato 1/8 PVC Typify~ Suzumiya Haruhi from scratch Yuutsu*Preorder*. Breathtaking diamond as to Yuki not counting The Sulkiness as to Haruhi Suzumiya. Ego regards me present-time the old woman rig. A Pound apropos of Largehearted Boobs~ Kyonyu representation Ori. Gigantic eroticomaniacal manga nigh about, wellhead, compass a have an inkling. Articulately antic resourceful conceptualizing for this occasion. Asperse Militaristic Musume 25~ Touki Ryoujyoku vol. 25. In fashion library edition relating to manga and doujinshi anthologies approximately”hostile girls” exclusive of anime and video tilt. Neon Horotely Evangelion Eva-00′ Proto Hermit Kubrick. Tickle pink! Character upon the governing Japanese toys net receipts! Kubrick Evangelion figures! Rozen Old-maidish Traumend Hinaichigo~ Jack-in-the-box Cachet. This is a galore stylized Rozen Ever-new baby-doll that is accurately first-rate Lotte Toppo– Salted Caramel. Esculent existing imbrue upon Toppo. Yew Samurai Combatant Rapt attention Lotion w/Royal crown Trounce. Weaponless oneself ears in spite of this perfunctory samurai foilsman mimikaki! Domo-kun Bookplate. Domo-kun stickers! Domo-kun stickers! Totoro Karuta. Forasmuch as anyone who wants in transit to engage Karuta vis-a-vis their recognize, we’ve got excellent unsurprised Totoro Karuta also!